Karen Downer, president of NAACP Bucks County, shared her observations of disparities in educational funding on a local level, particularly in two Lower Bucks school districts. Samantha Bambino instructed Lower Bucks Times readers on Downer’s assertions.

Downer voiced her opinion on the status of school finances at a virtual rally for fair education. Her comments were based on professional observations made throughout Bucks County.

“You would be shocked to know,” she reported, “that of the 13 school districts in Bucks County, only three are funded at capacity. In Bucks County, school funding ranges from $30,144 per student in the New Hope-Solebury district, to $14,613 per student in Bristol Borough.”

The online forum was part of a discussion on litigation regarding scholastic inequities across Pa. The suit alleges that imbalance between well-funded schools in tonier districts verses those in economically challenged locations affects student outcomes from testing to earning power post-graduation.

“We want the court to direct the state to create and maintain a constitutional school funding system that enables all students to receive the resources they need to meet Pennsylvania’s state standards,” she said.

Speakers at the forum anecdotally listed the effects of funding shortages statewide. Testimony included reports of 100+ teachers sharing one bathroom and a teacher seeking proper ventilation for a former storage closet being used as a learning space.

More on the statewide issue of educational funding is at the Lower Bucks Times.