Gov. Josh Shapiro joined Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, Democratic lawmakers and School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington on Monday to highlight new education investments included in Pennsylvania’s budget, which the governor signed over the weekend. Philadelphia s chools will receive an additional $157 million under the new state budget. The event was held at Vare-Washington Elementary School in South Philadelphia, where students were at the center of the celebration. “We’re excited because resources make a difference,” Watlington said. The funding increase comes as Pennsylvania continues to boost education spending using a new funding formula following a court decision three years ago that ruled the state’s previous method of funding schools was unconstitutional. “We’re driving this money out to schools who need it most — school districts like Philadelphia and Norristown and Pottstown and others in our region. They were getting shortchanged. Now they’re getting the lion’s share of this new funding,” Shapiro said. Watlington said the district plans to use the funding to focus on four main priorities, beginning with direct investments in students and teachers. “Number one, we’re going to invest directly in our young people, the materials they use in classrooms every day, math manipulatives, the curriculum. Second, we’re going to invest in their teachers,” Watlington said. He said the funding also will support leadership development and school facilities. With budget negotiations now complete in Harrisburg, House Appropriations Committee Chair Jordan Harris challenged students to do their part. “We’re doing our part with the money. Now I need you to promise me you’re doing your part — come to school every day and do your work in your classroom,” Harris said. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less