Pennsylvania’s newly approved 2026-27 budget, which expands student wellness programs, school safety initiatives and career-education opportunities, includes additional funding.

According to information from state Rep. Gary Day, 187th office, the spending plan will deliver Basic Education Funding of $6,769,732 (total), an increase of 0.5%, Special Education Funding of $1,671,401 (total), an increase of 1.8% and a Ready to Learn Block Grant of $330,490 (total), an increase of 17.8% to the Northwestern Lehigh School District as part of a broader statewide investment in public education.

Following the passage of the 2026-27 state budget on July 12, Day issued the following statement:

“No budget is perfect, but this one reflects the priorities of the people I represent. I’m glad it wasn’t significantly delayed like last year’s budget, which meant people who depend on the budget’s funding weren’t left in limbo for months.

“It boosts PreK-12 education funding by nearly $680 million and ensures every Pennsylvania school district, including those in the 187th District, will see an increase in funding for the coming school year.

“We’re also preserving the Educational Improvement Tax Credit and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs, which give families real choices in their children’s education. And it continues necessary support for career and technical education centers by providing an additional $10 million to address wait-lists for students interested in pursuing their education at these centers.”

The budget, approved by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro continues the state’s multi-year effort to address inequities in Pennsylvania’s school funding system while adding new requirements related to bullying prevention, cyber charter attendance, student health and school safety.

Among the largest investments is $565 million in adequacy and tax-equity funding, along with increases for basic and special education funding.

The budget also includes policy changes affecting students and schools, including stricter cyber charter attendance standards, new bullying investigation requirements, expanded suicide-prevention and cyberbullying training, enhanced school safety measures and a statewide school-building database.

Beginning this school year, public school students in kindergarten through fifth grade will be guaranteed a daily 30-minute recess period. The budget also creates an eating disorder advisory committee and updates BMI-screening requirements.

Career and technical centers will be permitted to administer occupational competency exams before students reach 12th grade. Eligibility for Grow PA scholarships will also expand to include accelerated master’s degree programs.

In a statement, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association welcomed continued investments in education funding while noting that school districts continue to face pressures related to staffing shortages, special education costs, student mental health needs and aging facilities.

“We appreciate the governor’s continued commitment to several important education initiatives,” PSBA CEO Nathan Mains said earlier during the budget process. “To fully meet the needs of students across Pennsylvania, PSBA urges the General Assembly and the administration to build on this proposal by strengthening basic and special education funding, so every school district has the resources necessary to educate students and protect taxpayers.”

PSBA noted districts are still evaluating the financial impact of new requirements involving recess, bullying investigations, employee training and student health initiatives. Whether the new obligations are fully offset by additional state aid may vary from district to district.