Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Dr. Khalid N. Mumin visited Central Dauphin Middle School in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, to meet with students, teachers, and legislators and celebrate the historic investments in public K-12 education secured in the 2024-25 bipartisan budget – including the creation of a new adequacy formula to drive dollars to the public schools that need them most.
As students across the Commonwealth return to school, they are benefitting from substantial new investments secured by Governor Shapiro and a bipartisan group of legislators. The 2024-25 budget includes a historic $1.1 billion in total increases in K-12 public education funding, the largest year-over-year increase in Commonwealth history. This budget delivers significant progress on building strong and safe school communities, adequately and equitably funding public schools, supporting our teachers, and ensuring that every Pennsylvania child has the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.
"In the bipartisan budget I signed last month, Pennsylvania is for the first time ever committing $11 billion to K-12 public education — an increase of $1.1 billion from last year, the largest increase in history. There’s nothing more important than investing in our children and their future, and we’ll continue to work together to deliver for them," said Governor Shapiro. "This budget builds on our progress investing in student teacher stipends, mental health resources, and school environmental repairs — while we also improve how school funding is allocated with a new formula that drives dollars out to the schools who need it most."
Central Dauphin Middle School will significantly benefit from the 2024-25 bipartisan budget's investments and the new adequacy formula. This middle school is part of the Central Dauphin School District — the 8th largest in the Commonwealth and the largest among the 10 districts in Dauphin County. The district is set to receive approximately $8.8 million more than last year thanks to this budget — bringing their total to $44.3 million for the 2024-25 school year. The district serves around 12,000 students from urban, suburban, and rural areas, who attend one of its 13 elementary schools, four middle schools, and two high schools.
"It's exciting to be at Central Dauphin Middle School today with Governor Shapiro as students, teachers, and staff kick off the first week of school. As I look back on my own experiences as a superintendent years ago, I’m both amazed and inspired by how much education has evolved over the years. Yet, no matter how much things change, the start of a new school year always brings a sense of joy, renewal, and endless possibilities," said Secretary of Education Dr. Mumin. "What makes this moment even more special is knowing that, thanks to Governor Shapiro's historic investments for two consecutive years and the unwavering focus this Administration has placed on education in Pennsylvania, our schools are not just improving — they're poised for generations of greatness. The future is bright, and I'm thrilled to be part of this journey."
The 2024-25 budget delivers significant progress for K-12 education that will give every student the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed. This budget includes funding for:
Historic Basic Education Funding: Building on the investments in the Governor’s first budget, the 2024-25 budget makes another historic down payment in K-12 education funding in Pennsylvania with an increase of $1.1 billion. Of this funding, nearly $526 million will be distributed through a new adequacy formula to drive dollars to the schools that need them most.
Increases to Special Education: Governor Shapiro’s budget increases special education funding by $100 million to ensure that school districts have the basic resources necessary to provide high-quality special education services to students with disabilities and special needs.
Cyber Charter Reimbursement: The 2024-2025 budget sets aside $100 million to reimburse schools for payments they must make to cyber charter schools.
Career and Technical Education and Dual Enrollment: Creating real opportunity for students includes expanding options for them to gain experience, training, and advanced credit for college while still in high school. The Governor’s budget includes a $30 million increase for Career and Technical Education and continues $7 million in support of dual enrollment.
School Safety and Security and Mental Health Services: Every student deserves to be safe and feel safe in their school. The 2024-25 budget continues a $20 million annual investment in school safety and security improvements and provides $100 million in sustainable funding for environmental repairs and other facility projects in schools - $25 million of which is set aside for solar projects at schools. This budget also delivers $100 million to put more mental health and physical safety resources in our schools.
Providing Period Products for Students: No student should have to miss school due to not being able to afford basic necessities like menstrual hygiene products. The Governor’s budget invests $3 million to provide menstrual hygiene products at no cost to students in schools.
Investing in Early Childhood Learning: Every child in Pennsylvania deserves the support and resources to succeed, from infancy through adulthood. The budget invests an additional $2.7 million in the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program and an additional $15 million for the Pre-K Counts program.
Supporting Student Teacher Stipends: To further strengthen the educator pipeline and address the education workforce shortage, the 2024-25 budget doubles funding for student teacher stipends, for a total of $20 million to support Pennsylvanians training to become certified and committed educators in the Commonwealth.
The Governor was joined for a ceremonial bill signing by Central Dauphin School District (CDSD) Superintendent Eric Turman, President of the CDSD Board of Directors Michael Jacobs, Central Dauphin Middle School teacher Kim Pearl and student Heidi Bertsch, as well as local and state legislators.
"Central Dauphin School District is grateful to Governor Shapiro and state legislators for the increase in basic education funding included in this year's budget. As the fastest growing district in Dauphin County and the most diverse, this funding will allow us to bring resources to our students that will help support academics, safety, and their overall mental health,” said Superintendent Turman. “Boosts in revenue can help close the educational gap. We are keenly focused on the wealth disparity in the district, and we educate many students from families living below the poverty line. One aspect of the new school year that brings us pride is being able to provide a meal for all students in our district.”
“With the passage of the state budget this year, educators from all over the state can take pride in Governor Shapiro's leadership in guiding Pennsylvania's legislators to come together to ensure equity and funding for students across Pennsylvania,” said Pearl. “We rely on state funding to support so many of the opportunities we provide for our students. All of these opportunities should be available to every student in Pennsylvania, regardless of their zip code. Fair funding for public schools is an important step in ensuring equity for our children.”
“The teachers, principals, and staff members at Central Dauphin Middle School have played a pivotal role in shaping my life, providing guidance, support, and a caring environment for me to learn in,” said Bertsch. “They have taught me life lessons, including perseverance, teamwork, and the importance of curiosity. They have provided me with many opportunities, like sports clubs and other community services.”
“The General Assembly and Shapiro Administration took an important step in providing record funding for public education in the latest budget. This acknowledges the shortfall in funding, and the directive from the Commonwealth Court to provide a ‘thorough and efficient’ education for every Pennsylvania child,” said Representative Justin Fleming. “While this funding will help, there is plenty of work to do to ensure that children in the Central Dauphin School District and across the Commonwealth receive the funding they deserve.”
“Excellent schooling can only exist where there is proper funding to support it, and that’s what this budget delivers to schools all over Pennsylvania,” said Representative Patty Kim. “Historic investments this year empower every child with better-paid teachers, modern technology, and strong buildings and classrooms. This budget is more than a piece of legislation – it provides the tools for a better future for all.”
"Today at Central Dauphin Middle School, I witnessed the tangible results of our historical investment in education," said Representative Dave Madsen. "Thanks to this year’s funding, schools across the district are now better equipped to support every student’s success. Central Dauphin's commitment to providing free breakfast and lunch to all students is just one example of how our efforts are already making a meaningful difference in children's lives."
For more information on how the 2024-25 budget will create opportunity for Pennsylvanians, visit shapirobudget.pa.gov.
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