HARRISBURG – The Senate approved two key transparency measures sponsored by Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) to ensure greater accountability among education-related entities that receive public funding.
The legislation would make the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) subject to the state’s Right-to-Know law.
“Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent, especially when it comes to public education,” Phillips-Hill said. “This specific association offers its employees a state pension and receives Social Security reimbursement directly from the state budget. No other association has this benefit, yet they are not bound by any transparency requirements that come with every other entity that participates in the state’s pension program.”
Senate Bill 226 amends the Right-to-Know Law to include entities like PSBA, which employ staff who participate in the Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) and receive direct reimbursement for Social Security costs from the state. Despite receiving public funds, these organizations are not currently subject to open records requirements.
Senate Bill 227 amends the Public School Code to reinforce transparency and bring consistency in how publicly funded education-related organizations are held accountable to the public.
Last year, a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling classified the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) as a public entity subject to the Right-to-Know Law. The court’s opinion highlighted that since the PIAA receives tax dollars and funds from public schools, its classification as a state-affiliated entity was legitimate and essential for ensuring transparency in its use of public funds.
Both bills now advance to the House of Representatives for consideration.