After months of stalemate, the state budget has finally been released, bringing over $900 million in education funding, including additional support for local schools, writes David Mekeel for The Daily Local News.
The budget increases school adequacy funding by $565 million, plus adds an extra $105 million for basic education, $40 million for special education, and $125 million for infrastructure projects.
The Chester County school districts with the highest increases in basic education funding for 2025 through 2026 are West Chester, with a 1.9 percent boost, and Tredyffrin-Easttown, up 1.8 percent. The schools with the lowest increase are Avon Grove and Oxford Area, which saw just a 0.8 percent rise.
The schools with the highest increases in state special education funding for 2025 through 2026 are Downingtown and Owen J. Roberts, each increasing 7.3 percent. The school with the lowest increase is West Chester, which rose only 1.0 percent.
Meanwhile, the schools receiving the largest increases in Ready to Learn block grants for 2025 through 2026 are Coatesville, up 80.4 percent, and Oxford Area, up 74.9 percent. The school with the smallest increase is West Chester, with a 12.5 percent rise.
Read more about the state budget and how it affects schools in Chester County in The Daily Local News.
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