Many students start the school year without having the supplies they need. Local leaders here in Centre County have been working together to try and change that.
State Representative Paul Takac is working together with the YMCA of Centre County for this year’s back to school drive.
His office on West Hamilton Avenue has been collecting new supplies like backpacks and notebooks. The back to school drive is something that the YMCA has done for years Takac saw an opportunity to expand it.
“This is just one more opportunity for us to pull together as a community and make sure that every kid has what they need in order to be succesful.”
Takac told me that not having the right supplies effects how well students perform.
He said that the new state budget that has been passed by both the house of representatives and senate is a step in the right direction to making sure these kids are not limited.
“Every student should have an opportunity to learn and as we saw with the recent court ruling we need to increase funding for education in order to provide what’s constitutionally mandated as a fair and efficient education system.”
Takac said the budget still needs to be signed off by Liutenant Governor Austin Davis.
The schools will not see an increase in their budgets until this happens. He talked about how himself and other representatives are doing everything they can while they wait.
“We are on the clock, i’m ready to head back to harrisburg within 12 hours if called. we’ve got to do the people’s work and that’s what we’re here to do. so whatever we can to help expedite that i think we need to do.”
Takac said the Democratic Policy Committee will be meeting here, at Bald Eagle Area High School, on Wednesday Morning at ten to listen to some of the challenges that are facing rural education right now.
He also told me that there will be a Save Our Schools rally right after.
