Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 10-13-2025

Inside this issue

• Poll finds that Pennsylvanians share PSEA’s values about public education
• PSEA members demand that lawmakers pass a real state budget
• Critical judicial elections rapidly approaching
• PSEA celebrates diverse experiences
• PEARL & Center for Professional Learning
• Member Benefits spotlight: AmeriServ mortgage and home equity loans

PSEA members became educators and support professionals to make a difference for Pennsylvania’s students, and Pennsylvanians value what we do. According to a recent poll of Pennsylvania voters that PSEA commissioned in September, it’s clear that people in our communities share our values about public education.

Here are some of the Susquehanna Polling and Research poll’s key findings:

• 58% rate the quality of Pennsylvania’s public schools as excellent or good.
• 86% believe that the federal government should increase or keep funding the same for free and reduced lunch programs.
• 82% believe that the federal government should increase or keep funding the same for Title 1 programs for economically disadvantaged students.
• 92% believe that the federal government should increase or keep funding the same for students with special needs.
• 67% oppose closing the U.S. Department of Education.
• 56% oppose tuition voucher programs.
• 69% believe that the state Legislature should approve Gov. Josh Shapiro’s state budget proposal.

As of today, Pennsylvania’s state budget is 110 days overdue, and our public schools have missed $3.76 billion in state payments in July, August, and September, forcing a growing number of school districts to borrow money to fund their operations. PSEA continues to demand that lawmakers get to work and pass a real state budget. The state House has passed three responsible, balanced state budgets, most recently on Oct. 8. But Senate Republicans have refused to act on them.

On Oct. 14, PSEA member Mike Rawlins, president of Hollidaysburg Area Education Association, joined other public education officials at a press conference to describe the impacts of the budget impasse.

“This is just unacceptable,” Rawlins said. “We’re already feeling the effects of the grants cut for facilities improvement as we have decades-old buildings — including our junior high school, which was built in the early 1900s — that are just decaying rapidly. This affects all of our students, all of my students in the classroom every day.”

Check out the video above to see what Rawlins said during the press conference, and go to psea.org/budget to learn more about how the budget impasse is impacting every public school in Pennsylvania.

In the November 2025 issue of Voice, which will be hitting your mailbox soon, we discuss the importance of the Nov. 4 General Election. Three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices and several appellate judges are up for retention and election, and PSEA urges you to vote “YES” to keep fair, independent courts in place and ensure we maintain a court system that vows to safeguard public education and the communities it serves. 

You can read the complete breakdown of our PACE-recommended candidates in the magazine. But here’s the takeaway:

Judges recommended for retention:

PA Supreme Court

• Justice Christine Donohue
• Justice Kevin Dougherty
• Justice David Wecht

PA Superior Court

• Judge Alice B. Dubow

PA Commonwealth Court

• Judge Michael Wojcik

Judges recommended for election:

• Superior Court: Judge Brandon Neuman
• Commonwealth Court: Judge Stella Tsai

Remember:

• Judges must stand for retention every 10 years and retire at age 75 under the Pennsylvania Constitution.
• Misinformation is circulating about these justices, so be sure to check trusted, nonpartisan sources like the PSEA Judicial Retention page for the facts.
• Visit SchoolHouseBallot.com to find school board candidates who support public education in your district.

Vote “YES” to retain fair-minded judges and support candidates who stand with public education – all the way to the end of your ballot.

This week, we honored Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a time to recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples across our nation. At PSEA, we believe that diversity is a strength — in our classrooms, our communities, and our union. By acknowledging and uplifting Indigenous voices, we continue our commitment to building inclusive schools where every student’s story is valued and respected.

Click the thumbnail above to hear a personal story from PSEA Indigenous member Joan Reigner, a teacher in the Daniel Boone School District.

PEARL

Visit the new, improved PEARL today and choose from more than 95 asynchronous courses available for Act 48 credit and Chapter 14 verification.

You can find multiple courses that interest you in any of these tracks: 

• Book Studies
• Educational Equity
• Pedagogy
• Policy
• Pupil Services
• Special Populations
• Technology in Education
• SEL & Wellness

Webinars

• Certification, Tenure, Induction, and Act 48
  • Oct. 21, 7-8 p.m.
• Fostering a “Growth Mindset” in the Classroom Today
  • Nov. 12, 7-8:30 p.m.
• From Classroom to Career: Strengthening Educator Support & Development
  • Nov. 18, 7-8:30 p.m.

Book Discussions

• Spooky Stories to Read in the Classroom
  
  • Oct. 29, 7-8 p.m.
• Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally
  
  • Nov. 5, 7-8 p.m.
• Educating for Global Competence: Preparing Our Students to Engage the World
  
  • Dec. 3, 7-8 p.m.

Postgraduate Credits

Earn postgraduate credits from PennWest University for $70 each!

More than 150 postgraduate credits are available across a wide range of teaching and learning topics.

These postgraduate credits (micro-credentials) can count toward the 24 credits required for a Level II certificate and also may count toward salary advancement.*

For support professionals, these courses may meet Chapter 14 requirements.**

*Check your contract to determine if you can apply standalone postgraduate credits for column movement.
**Seek approval from your employer prior to completing hours to apply toward Chapter 14 requirements.

Looking to buy a house?

Now is a great time to start looking for the home of your dreams, whether it be a starter, vacation, or your next home. Enjoy these PSEA exclusive mortgage benefits with our preferred partner, AmeriServ Bank:

• Market leading rates
• No origination fee (savings of $695)
• One FREE rate re-lock opportunity ($400 value)
• $250 credit on interest rate buy-down options.

Already own a home? Take advantage of your home’s equity.

AmeriServ offers a home equity product called Loan in a Line. Use it as a home equity credit line while also having the capability to take out fixed-rate term loans at the same time. Enjoy the flexibility this product offers for home improvements, debt consolidation, tuition, vacations, or simply to have the peace of mind to know it’s there when you need it. Your benefits include market leading rates, along with waiving annual and other fees. 

Many members took advantage of historic low mortgage rates a few years ago. Now is a great time to establish a home equity loan and obtain low fixed-rate options. These products and benefits are available to PSEA members and their families (parents, children, and siblings). 

To learn more and to view current rates visit us at:

www.ameriserv.com/psea