Pennsylvania’s schools say victory in court is final and Legislature needs to increase funding

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Lawyers for the school districts that sued in Pennsylvania say they want action now that Republican lawmakers aren’t appealing a judge’s ruling on funding. The judge had ruled that the state’s system of funding public schools violates the constitutional rights of students in poorer districts. The lawyers said Monday that the deadline to appeal the February decision came over the weekend. Top House and Senate Republicans in Pennsylvania had opposed the lawsuit but hadn’t said whether they’d appeal. The plaintiffs’ lawyers said the decision is now final. The judge didn’t direct the Legislature on how much state aid to distribute or how. Lawmakers haven’t assembled a plan to address the court’s findings.