Save Our Schools. Reform the Separations Act.

Pennsylvania schools are chronically underfunded and overwhelmed by a growing backlog of essential maintenance that cannot afford further delay. The Pennsylvania Separations Act, a century-old law, is now a significant roadblock in an era of educational and infrastructural evolution.

Immediately modernizing this outdated law is vital to empower our school districts and higher education institutions to cut wasteful spending, redirecting these crucial funds towards directly enhancing student education in these pressing times.

Reform requires no additional taxpayer funding. It only requires your voice.

01

Outdated Construction Process, Outdated Buildings

The construction world has transformed dramatically since the Separations Act was first introduced over a century ago. To keep pace with new, cutting-edge advancements in construction, it’s critical we modernize this law to align it with current best practices. By doing so, our school districts and higher education institutions can smartly and effectively use their capital funds, tackling not only the ever-growing maintenance needs but also opening new, state-of-the-art facilities. This modernization is about stopping school closures and overcrowding, making life-saving updates to asbestos-laden pipes and buildings, and providing our students with state-of-the-art facilities.

02

Making a Budget Crisis Worse

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision highlights a critical deficit in school funding, placing the onus on the General Assembly for immediate action. Modernizing the outdated Pennsylvania Separations Act is more than a reform; it’s a strategic solution to unlock millions in funds, freeing them from redundant construction expenses to directly enhancing classroom learning. This change is not only a swift response to the court’s mandate but also a fiscally responsible approach, allowing the General Assembly to start closing the educational funding gap without additional spending, and more importantly, equipping our schools with the resources they desperately need in these challenging times.

03

Reform Benefits Schools and Communities

Ensuring the highest quality education for our students remains our top priority, and urgently modernizing the Separations Act is a crucial step in securing adequate funding for our schools. This is not about enhancing our educational system alone; it’s a move that benefits the entire community, including those without students. By updating this law, we enable school districts and higher education institutions to balance their budgets more efficiently, thereby easing the financial burden on local taxpayers. This allows for the diversion of additional funds to much-needed community projects.

04

Statewide Support for Reform

Across Pennsylvania, there’s an immediate and growing call for action, driven by a broad-based coalition spanning educational institutions, labor unions, business groups, building contractors, and environmental advocates. This grassroots-driven, diverse alliance is united in its commitment to creating a modern, efficient system for financing school repairs and construction. Their collective voice underscores the urgency of this mission: to ensure the delivery of top-quality education throughout the Commonwealth in the most effective and resourceful manner.

A broad and growing coalition is united behind modernizing the Separations Act.