(Photo Provided with Release)

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release from Governor Josh Shapiro’s office, Shapiro and his team allocated the most funding in the history of Pennsylvania for public education in grades K-12. The investment totals over eleven billion dollars, along with funding of $1.1 billion. According to Shapiro, $200 million will also provide resources for students that struggle with mental health and its challenges. The release also states that other budgets of Shapiro’s budget include:

• $1.11 billion in K-12 public education funding increases, with a new formula to direct dollars to schools that need them most.

• $100 million for environmental repair and sustainable facilities in schools, including $25 million for Solar for Schools, creating safe, healthy learning environments.

• $100 million for special education funding, reinforcing Pennsylvania’s commitment to equitable education for all students.

• $100 million in cyber charter reimbursements to better align tuition costs with the actual expenses of providing online education, saving school districts millions.

• $100 million in mental health funding for K-12 schools to continue supporting mental health services for students, building on last year’s investment of $100 million

• $17.7 million increase for early childhood education, ensuring that our youngest learners get a strong start.

• $3 million to provide menstrual hygiene products at no cost to students in schools.

• $20 million for the Educator Pipeline Support Grant Program, which provides stipends to eligible student teachers in Pennsylvania — doubling last year’s investment of $10 million for the program.

• Ensuring 1.7 million students statewide receive free breakfast, regardless of income.