Ziegler Joins Principals for Fair Funding Push

Pottsgrove High School Principal Bill Ziegler speaks in the Capitol rotunda about the need for fair school funding.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Pottsgrove High School Principal Williamk Ziegler.

Bill Ziegler, Principal at Pottsgrove High School, joined with other principals from across Pennsylvania to advocate for increased funding for public schools at the state capitol in Harrisburg recently.

PA Principals Association hosted the Principal Advocacy Day to give an opportunity for school leaders to speak with their area legislators and to advocate for increased funding for schools. 

Principals Jessica Quinter of Juniata Elementary School, Christopher Gregaris of Crestwood High School, Melissa Patschke from the Spring-Ford School Area District, and Ziegler all spoke in the state’s Capitol rotunda on the need to increase funding for our public schools. 

Paul Healey, Executive Director of the PA Principals Association, closed out the time by emphasizing the important role of school leaders and how they need to be supported through increased funding, funding for professional development, and a fair evaluation system. 

In addition, Ziegler and the other principals spoke out encouraging legislators to fully fund the Fair Funding Formula for public schools.

Ziegler said, “Students in our public schools need the help of legislators in Pennsylvania as there is a funding crisis in our public schools. PA Principals has joined the Fair Funding Campaign and we thank our legislators and the Governor for signing this into law. However, we still need to significantly increase school funding." 

"Statewide survey data shows that 85 percent of school districts plan to raise taxes, 50 percent plan to reduce academic or extracurricular activities, and 48 percent plan to reduce staff resulting in larger class sizes,” Ziegler said.

Furthermore, Ziegler asked state legislators to oppose House Bill 1213 which enables significant property tax reductions for commercial properties. 

“If this bill passes, the Pottsgrove School District could potentially lose more than $1.7 million in tax revenue from commercial properties next year alone,” he said.

Ziegler shared how Keystone Testing disrupts learning for two straight weeks and he challenged state legislators to reexamine Keystone Testing at the high school level. Ziegler also asked legislators to revise Act 82, The Educator Effectiveness Law.

In closing, Ziegler reminded legislators how the principalship is one of the most rewarding positions in our commonwealth and a position that needs the unending support and encouragement from its legislators. 

Ziegler asked legislators to contact their local school principal to see how they can support them in their most important responsibility of leading the education of our state’s children.