The state senate majority policy committee hosted a school safety discussion on Friday in Philipsburg. It’s the seventh out of ten sessions planned regarding the allocation of $60 million in state funding for schools.
Over two dozen attendees met at the Philipsburg-Osceola Middle School, including representatives from eight school districts in Central Pennsylvania.
Dr. John Zesiger is the superintendent of the Moshannon Valley School District. He said the school district will most likely use the funding to improve their mental health resources.
“Additional guidance counselors would be spectacular, and access to a social worker," he said. "So many of our resources are located in State College or Altoona or Clearfield, so to get some school-based assistance would be a huge help.”
The funds are part of Act 44, which grants each school district at least $25,000 this school year.
Zesiger said he hopes it will remain sustainable, since his community can’t afford the long-term changes if the funding stops.
Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman said the funding is secure.
“There’s not anyone who’s gonna reduce that," Corman said. "I would assume over the years it will grow. I feel very comfortable that money will there for some time.”
