05.07 06:52 AM | Upcoming Public Hearing on Basic Education Funding - Hosted by State Representative Leslie Acosta

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From: "Flood, Brandon" <BFlood@pahouse.net>
Date: May 6, 2016 5:15 PM
Subject: Upcoming Public Hearing on Basic Education Funding - Hosted by State Representative Leslie Acosta
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NEWS RELEASE	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Leslie Acosta D-Philadelphia www.pahouse.com/Acosta

Acosta to host public hearing on basic education funding May 11

School District of Philadelphia Superintendent William Hite to testify

PHILADELPHIA, May 5 – Citing Pennsylvania's dismal ranking of 45th in the nation for funding its schools, state Rep. Leslie Acosta, D-Phila., will co-chair a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing on the need for improved basic education funding.

The hearing will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 11 at Julia DeBurgos Elementary School, 401 W. Lehigh Ave., Philadelphia.

"Harrisburg is broken, having allowed special interests to take over the budget process," Acosta said. "We cannot allow this to happen any longer. Pennsylvania must restore the devastating educational cuts made in 2011, which have led to overcrowded classrooms and property tax hikes. Our students and taxpayers deserve better."

Acosta also expressed the need for more equitable school funding, citing a U.S. Department of Education study showing that the commonwealth's schools are the most inequitable in the nation.

The current hearing agenda is:

   10 a.m.           Welcome and opening remarks

   10:10 a.m.      Panel One:

·         Helen Gym, councilwoman, Philadelphia City Council  

·         Otis Hackney, chief education officer, City of Philadelphia

·         William Hite, superintendent, The School District of Philadelphia

  11 a.m.           Panel Two:

·         Hillary Linardopoulos, representative, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

·         Donna Cooper, executive director, Public Citizens for Children and Youth

·         Patricia DeCarlo, executive director, Norris Square Community Alliance

·         Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg, staff attorney, Public Interest Law Center

  Noon            Closing remarks

The hearing is open to the public.

ATTENTION NEWS/ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: Media coverage is invited.

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CONTACT: Megan Lello
House Democratic Communications Office
Phone: 717-787-7895
Email: mlello@pahouse.net

Brandon J. Flood

Executive Director

Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus

327 K. Leroy Irvis Office Building

Harrisburg, PA 17120

Office: (717) 772-6955/ In-House Extension: 6460

Fax: (717) 783-1516

E-mail: Bflood@pahouse.net

Website: http://www.pahouse.com/PLBC/