February 20, 2026 – Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Senator Vincent Hughes (D-7) and Senator Nick Miller (D-14) joined Allentown School District Superintendent Dr. Carol D. Birks to underscore major education investments and reaffirm Senate Democrats’ commitment to equitable school funding.
Last year’s budget delivered $526 million for adequacy supplements to school districts, marking the second consecutive year of progress following the Commonwealth Court ruling that declared Pennsylvania’s school funding system unconstitutional.
Governor Shapiro’s proposed 2026-27 budget continues this momentum with significant investments:
- $8.3 billion for Basic Education (+$50 million from FY 25-26)
- $1.9 billion for Ready to Learn, which includes a $526 million increase for adequacy funding
- $1.6 billion for Special Education (+$50 million from FY 25-26)
- $75 million in annual savings from cyber charter funding reform, bringing the total cyber charter savings to $250 million, annually
- $35 million for student teacher stipends (+$5 million from FY 25-26)
- $97 million to maintain universal free breakfast (+$14 million from FY25-26)
- $158 million for CTE programs (+$14 million from FY25-26)
“We are here to make sure folks know we must continue the fight,” said Senator Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair. “Having been one of the individuals in the budget negotiation room, I can tell you that those who do not believe in adequate and constitutional education funding, even in the last minute, were trying to remove this court ordered education funding. It is always in jeopardy, which means we must continue to fight. We cannot give up on our Pennsylvania public school students and delivering what they deserve.”
“Every child in Pennsylvania deserves an education that opens doors to a strong and prosperous future,” said Senator Miller. “That’s why I helped to deliver historic investments in education, especially investments that prioritize student safety, strengthen school infrastructure, and support long-term planning for our districts. Through my appointment to the School Safety and Security Committee of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, I’ve advocated for more than $62 million for the Violence Intervention and Prevention line item, $100 million for school safety and mental health grants, and a $125 million investment in the 2025–26 budget to improve school facilities. These investments put resources directly into classrooms and give school districts the stability they need to plan for the future. I’m proud to stand with Appropriations Chair Senator Hughes and Senate Democrats in keeping our commitment to fully funding public education across the Commonwealth.”
“Today, because of state investments made possible by Governor Shapiro and our legislative delegation, we are not just stabilizing; we are accelerating,” said Dr. Carol D. Birks. “The Allentown School District is aligning every dollar to our Strategic Plan, Lighting the Way: A Blueprint for Innovation and Excellence 2030. Like districts across Pennsylvania, we are navigating rising mandated costs and growing uncertainty at every level. That is why continued state investment is not optional, it is essential. Not simply to preserve the progress we have made, but to accelerate it, modernize our learning environments, and deliver the opportunities our students deserve.”
Photographs and downloadable videos are available upon request.
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ education priorities, visit pasenate.com/priorities/education/.
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