HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is scheduled to vote Monday afternoon on a bill that changes the way school districts get money from the Commonwealth.
House Bill 2370 is the result of a lawsuit that alleged school districts that serve low-income communities aren't getting their fair share of money from the state.
Commonwealth Court ordered state education officials to come up with a new funding system so all students have a comprehensive and effective public school education and that there is no discrimination against students in poor communities.
The bill means nearly 370 underfunded districts get more money over the next seven years at a cost of more than $5 billion. There is another $1 billion set aside for districts where property owners have shouldered a heavy local tax burden due to state underfunding.
The bill is expected to make it through the Democrat-controlled House. Republicans control the Senate, and the bill's fate there is uncertain.