At the July PA State Board of Education meeting, Secretary Noe Ortega informed everyone that he spent his first day as the PA Education Secretary helping to distribute meals to children in need and expressed his gratitude to the USDA for continuing to provide meals. He also recognized that this week is National Summer Learning Week. In addition, he expressed optimism as we move into the 2021-22 school year. His optimism is based on the resiliency shown by our students, staff, and communities over the past year-and-a-half.

Sec. Ortega recognized the recently passed state budget and praised the funds set aside for the Level Up PA program, which is aimed at decreasing the learning gap. These funds are an equity supplement that will be shared among Pennsylvania’s 100 poorest school districts and are in addition to the state’s basic education subsidy for all school districts.

With regard to the ongoing pandemic, Sec. Ortega said that PDE is working with school officials as they prepare for 2021-22. He stated that much of the decision making responsibility has been placed on LEAs and that PDE will be acting as a “sense maker” as federal guidance is received.

Sec. Ortega was followed by Deputy Sec. Dr. Sherri Smith, who reported on the state’s  ARP ESSR Plan for 2021-22. All funds must be awarded by September 30, 2022 and obligated by September 30, 2024. PA’s total award is expected to be $5.001 billion. PDE’s Final ARP ESSR Plan will be submitted to the US Department of Education (USDE) on July 16, 2021. Dr. Smith also said that stakeholders involved in the process listed the top three priorities for funding as: student and teacher mental health; online connectivity; and staffing shortages.

The only action item the Board addressed was its 2022 meeting calendar. Meeting dates for 2022 were approved as follows: January 12-13; March 13-16; May 4-5; July 13-14; September 14-15; and November 9-10.