As Catholic school students across the Commonwealth begin the new school year, instructors are feeling the pinch of the unresolved state budget debate. Nonpublic schools do not receive basic education tax dollars, but their students do benefit from line items that pay for textbooks, materials, equipment, and services that support their secular education through the Intermediate Units. The proposal this year finally achieves equity between public and nonpublic students – the line items increase at the same rate. The Pennsylvania General Assembly is considering measures that would release the funds for some critical programs like these.
