HARRISBURG, PA — A bill has been introduced in the Pennsylvania House to establish a school facilities office as part of the education department, which its sponsors say will help lawmakers and school officials assess school facilities.

PA Rep. Tarah Probst (D, 189), which represents Monroe and Pike counties, is sponsoring the bill along with representatives Elizabeth Fiedler (D, 184), Lindsay Powell (D, 21), and Tarik Khan (D, 194). They emphasized the importance of adequately funding school buildings because of their impact on education and public health. 

The bill comes after a 2023 ruling that deemed Pennsylvania’s school funding system unconstitutional and stressed the need for safe facilities. The legislators pointed to the $175 million for environmental repairs included in last year’s budget and proposed allocating even more money this year.

The school facilities office would increase transparency and help state leaders to understand funding needs. It would help schools assess infrastructure needs, secure resources, and maintain a statewide school facilities inventory.

The sponsors say the quality of school facilities affects both students and teachers, influencing the recruitment, retention, and commitment of educators, as well as student health, behavior, and achievement.

“This bill puts children, teachers and staff first, as well as making our public school system equitable, which is in our Constitution,” Probst said. “School facilities have a profound effect on both teacher and student outcomes. Creating a school facilities office will increase transparency and enable state leaders to make informed decisions on how much funding is needed, but moreover, where it is needed to have an adequate place to learn.”

The bill awaits consideration in the PA House.