Scranton School District: A New Era of Funding and Opportunities
SCRANTON — When Pennsylvania initiated a historic funding boost for its most underfunded public school districts last year, Erin Keating, the superintendent of Scranton School District, felt a glimmer of hope. With over 75% of its 9,300 students qualifying as low-income, the district received a significant allocation of $8.4 million in supplemental funding, ranking it sixth in the state. This financial support was part of an unprecedented effort to address the inequities in Pennsylvania’s school funding system, which had been deemed unconstitutional by a court ruling.
A History of Financial Struggles
Scranton School District has faced its share of financial challenges. In 2017, the Pennsylvania Department of Education placed the district on a fiscal watchlist after an audit revealed “serious financial instability.” The district was forced to make tough decisions, including closing an elementary school, cutting electives, and eliminating its pre-K program. Keating described this recovery process as “not fun for anybody,” highlighting the emotional toll on students and staff alike.
The arrival of the adequacy funding marked a turning point. Keating expressed relief, stating, “You don’t usually have a lot of money to play with for education and curricular opportunities.” With the new funding, the district could explore new classes and technology, offering a glimpse of a brighter future.
The Impact of Adequacy Funding
The $8.4 million in adequacy funding represents nearly 4% of Scranton’s total revenue for the 2024-25 school year. This financial boost has allowed the district to reinstate previously cut art electives, hire staff focused on student mental health, and invest in its Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical (STEMM) Academy. The largest expenditure, at $5.2 million, was dedicated to maintaining the district’s Cyber Academy, an online education option aimed at reducing the financial burden of charter school tuition.
Keating emphasized the importance of investing in the district’s own online school to retain students and mitigate costs associated with cyber charter schools. “Everyone’s seeing continued growth in the choice of cyber education,” she noted, underscoring the need for public districts to adapt to changing educational landscapes.
Real-Life Success Stories
The adequacy funding has made a tangible difference in the lives of students. Ninth grader Sara Williams, enrolled in the STEMM Academy, recently practiced mock surgeries using a virtual autopsy table in her anatomy class. Her mother, Vivian Williams, shared how the program has ignited Sara’s passion for college and future career aspirations.
The STEMM Academy, launched in 2022 with federal pandemic relief funds, has expanded significantly thanks to adequacy funding. The district allocated approximately $780,000 this year to support the program, which now employs 12 full-time teachers. Program supervisor Katona Miller noted that the funding has allowed for more flexibility in staffing and resources, enabling the purchase of innovative tools like virtual reality glasses for immersive learning experiences.
Addressing Mental Health and General Operating Costs
In addition to enhancing academic programs, the district has used adequacy funding to address mental health needs. By allocating $1.5 million toward existing guidance counselors’ salaries, Scranton was able to hire three licensed professional counselors and two licensed social workers. Keating emphasized the importance of mental well-being in academic success, stating, “I can’t get you to sit in a seat and understand algebra if you’re not in the right mental place to be able to do that.”
Furthermore, $840,000 in adequacy funding has been directed toward salaries for kindergarten teachers and paraprofessionals, allowing the district to reinstate essential electives like art, music, and physical education for fifth through eighth graders.
The Road Ahead: Uncertainty and Hope
The journey to secure adequate funding for Scranton and similar districts has been long and fraught with challenges. The current funding boost can be traced back to a 2014 lawsuit that highlighted the inequities in Pennsylvania’s K-12 education funding system. A Commonwealth Court ruling two years ago mandated that lawmakers find a solution to ensure fair funding for all districts.
While the adequacy funding has provided much-needed relief, uncertainty looms over its future. Governor Josh Shapiro has proposed an additional $500 million in adequacy funding, but the Republican-controlled state Senate has expressed concerns about the distribution formula. Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman has raised questions about fairness, emphasizing the need for a reevaluation of how funds are allocated.
Keating has voiced her concerns about the unpredictability of future funding, stating, “Without consistency, the school district does not know if it can sustain new funding for academic programs or staffing.” This uncertainty complicates budget planning and hinders long-term growth.
Conclusion: A Call for Continued Support
As Scranton School District navigates its recovery and strives for excellence, the importance of sustained funding cannot be overstated. State Rep. Pete Schweyer, who leads the Education Committee, acknowledges the bipartisan support for the adequacy funding formula, despite ongoing debates about fairness and distribution.
The future of Scranton School District—and the educational opportunities it can provide—depends on the commitment of state lawmakers to prioritize equitable funding. As Keating and her team look ahead, they remain hopeful that continued support will allow them to expand programs, hire more staff, and ultimately provide a high-quality education for every student in their care.
