For the second time in eight days, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro visited Bucks County, only this time he visited Morrisville Middle/Senior High School on the first day of school to meet with students, teachers, and legislators to highlight investments in K-12 public education secured in the 2024-25 budget passed earlier this year after weeks of negotiations.
Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, Dr. Andrew Doster – Superintendent, Morrisville School District, state Rep. Jim Prokopiak and state Sen. Steve Santarsiero were also on hand with Elizabeth Glaum-Lathbury – French Teacher, Morrisville Middle School/High School and Laila Waters – Student, Senior at Morrisville High School for the back to school event with students across the Commonwealth returning to classes; they are benefitting from substantial new investments secured by the Shapiro administration and a bipartisan group of legislators, officials say.
The ceremonial bill signing of the 2024-25 budget includes an “historic $1.1 billion in total increases in K-12public education funding, the largest year-over-year increase in Commonwealth history,” Shapiro said.
This budget delivers significant progress on building strong and safe school communities, adequately and equitably funding public schools, supporting our teachers, and ensuring that every Pennsylvania child has the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed, an administration spokesperson said.
Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin will visit Morrisville Middle/Senior High School on the first day of school to meet with students, teachers, and legislators and highlight investments in K-12 public education secured in the 2024-25 budget.
“I was proud to sign a bipartisan budget this summer that commits a historic $11 billion to K-12 public education in Pennsylvania – including $1.1 billion more than last year, the largest increase in Commonwealth history. Investing in our children’s future is a top priority, and under my Administration, we’re delivering for them,” said Shapiro. “This budget builds on our progress by boosting investments in student teacher stipends, mental health resources, and essential school repairs while also improving how we allocate funding, with a new formula that directs dollars to the schools that need them most.” Morrisville Middle/Senior High School is part of Morrisville Borough School District, which will benefit from the 2024-25 bipartisan budget’s investments. This district is set to receive approximately $5.7 million for the 2024-25 school year thanks to this budget – an for the 2024-25 school year thanks to this budget – an increase of over $200,000 compared to last year. The district serves more than 830 students across three schools: Grandview Elementary School, Morrisville Intermediate School, and Morrisville Middle/Senior High School.
“It’s thrilling to be here today with Governor Shapiro, along with students, teachers, and staff as we kick off a new school year. Reflecting on my time as a superintendent, I’m both amazed and inspired by how much education has evolved. But no matter how much changes, the start of a new school year always brings a sense of joy, renewal, and endless possibilities,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Mumin. “What makes this moment even more special is knowing that, thanks to Governor Shapiro’s historic investments for two consecutive years and the unwavering focus this Administration has placed on education in Pennsylvania, our schools are not just improving — they’re poised for generations of greatness.”
With Reps. Warren and Prokopiak seeking reelection, Morrisville observers noted part of the underlying motivation for the ceremonial signing. According to sources in the know, coming to the school district was advocated for by Santarsiero and his staffers in recent weeks before the actual “back to school tour” throughout the commonwealth was launched. Shapiro of course is no stranger to Bucks Countians, starting his public service career in neighboring Montgomery County. Morrisville Borough is a deeply blue (Democrat) school district.
Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin will visit Morrisville Middle/Senior High School on the first day of school to meet with students, teachers, and legislators and highlight investments in K-12 public education secured in the 2024-25 budget.
“As a teacher, it’s important to me to give our students experiences that maybe they wouldn’t have access to outside of our building. The increased funding in the 2024-25 budget will certainly be put to good use by all of our teachers, and of course, all teachers across the Commonwealth. I’m grateful for this historic support for students by our Governor and the General Assembly,” said Glaum-Lathbury.
It is an honor to be here with Governor Shapiro, who has worked with our General Assembly to make sure students across the Commonwealth, such as me, and all students have access to great public education and opportunities to get us started for where we want to go with our careers and our futures, Waters, a senior at Morrisville High School, said.
Shapiro will visit Democratic stronghold Allegheny County today too continue his back to school K-12 public education investment tour Highlands High School.
Recent Comments