Public Hearing on Education Funding Cuts Set for Friday in Green Tree

The state House Democratic Policy Committee on Friday will hold a public hearing in Green Tree on the funding cuts to education. 

The hearing will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Green Tree Municipal Center’s council chambers, 10 W. Manilla Ave. 

State Reps. Matt Smith, Chelsa Wagner and Dan Deasy, all D-Allegheny, requested the hearing and will serve as its co-chairpersons. The hearing will consider the impact budget cuts are having on communities in western Pennsylvania as the policy committee evaluates the educational needs to be addressed in next year’s state budget.

The current hearing agenda is:

• 10 a.m.—Welcome and opening remarks
• 10:10 a.m.—Panel One: Carey Harris, executive director, A+ ; William Hileman, executive board member-at-large and staff representative, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers.
• 10:40 a.m. – Panel Two: Martha Isler,  director, Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children; Jui Joshi, director of Philanthropic , Women and Girls Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
• 11:10 a.m.—Panel Three: Dr. Timothy Steinhauer, superintendent, Mt. Lebanon School District; Nancy Aloi Rose, acting superintendent, Bethel Park School District; Dr. Reggie Bonfield, superintendent, Northgate School District.
• 11:50 a.m.—Panel Four: April Weitzel, parent, Carlynton School District; and Brigitte Jackson, parent, Northgate School District.
• 12:20 p.m.—Panel Five:  James Brophy, director of operations, Outreach Teen and Family Services Inc.; Jennifer Beagan, senior program director, Allegheny Intermediate Unit; Patrick Sable, chief financial officer, Allegheny Intermediate Unit.
• 12:50 p.m.—Closing remarks.