Lawmakers examine benefits of additional school funding
Policy Committee roundtable, tour focus on Morrisville needs, outcomes
Rep. Regina Young September 23, 2026 | 2:40 PM
MORRISVILLE, Sept. 22 – When Pennsylvania invests in public schools that have been underfunded for years, students and communities see the difference.
Almost a year ago, Morrisville school officials warned it could face a mid-year closure if the state budget impasse continued. State lawmakers acted, and when the 2026-27 budget passed in July, the General Assembly provided the chronically underfunded school district with an additional $3.5 million, which will remain a permanent addition to the district’s base funding.
State Rep. Jim Prokopiak hosted the PA House Majority Policy Committee for a roundtable and tour at Morrisville on Wednesday so lawmakers could hear firsthand how the additional funds are being spent.
“When we invest in our public schools, students win and our communities win,” said Prokopiak, who represents portions of Bucks County, including Morrisville. “More dollars mean smaller school sizes and more resources for greater academic and mental health support – something that’s not possible when schools are underfunded.”
Morrisville’s experience reflects what has happened across Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth Court found the state’s funding system unconstitutional in 2023. Months after the ruling, the House Democratic leadership team crisscrossed the state to advocate for the fair funding of public schools and the most underserved school districts, making stops in Philadelphia, Berks, Centre and Allegheny counties.
Morrisville School Board president Damon Miller noted in the past, Morrisville had experienced furloughs and needed to cut programs, finding a path forward despite being underfunded and struggling financially for years.
“Having opportunities to visit smaller school districts is amazing, because it gives us an opportunity to make sure all students, all teachers and all parents are seen and heard,” said state Rep. Regina Young, who represents portions of Philadelphia and Delaware County and serves as a subcommittee chair on the House Majority Policy Committee. “All voices in this educational space should be heard and that should be a priority across the commonwealth.”
Miller added that the goal for the school now is to be more competitive with other school districts of its size when it comes to salaries. Being uncompetitive when it came to salaries led to numerous leadership changes and short-term tenures. School officials explained, the goal with additional funding is stabilization, including increasing its credit rating and exploring sustainable programs. Administrators noted that Morrisville was forced to be creative in finding answers to funding shortfalls. However, the small district has survived and remains a tight-knit district, with an estimated 850 students in the building.
“It feels like a family here, and that can’t be manufactured,” Morrisville acting interim superintendent Dr. Elaine Eib said.
Adequacy funds can be used where needed, and across Pennsylvania, schools have used the money to hire more teachers, support technical education programs, provide mental health support, expand STEAM programming and increase staffing.
“We’re seeing what happens when resources reach the students who need them,” said state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who represents portions of Erie County and serves as the House Majority Policy Committee chairman. “The progress in Morrisville shows why sustained investment matters. We need to keep closing the gaps, so every student has an opportunity to succeed, regardless of their ZIP code.”
The committee was joined by interim acting school superintendent Dr. Elaine Eib, business manager Dea Popovski, middle/senior high school principal Brian Oberdick, elementary (K-5) principal Nick Zlupko, and school board president Damon Miller.
Information about this hearing and other House Majority Policy Committee hearings can be found at pahouse.com/policy. Photos to be used for publication can be found on the day of the hearing at Facebook.com/PADemPolicy.