Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 10-27-2025

Inside this issue

• State budget impasse threatens public education
• Don’t forget to VOTE Tuesday!
• HACC union members vote to strike
• LCCC faculty also plans to strike next week
• Help feed community members in need
• PEARL & Center for Professional Learning
• Member Benefits spotlight: Tele-therapy

As of Oct. 30, Pennsylvania’s state budget is 122 days overdue. This means that public schools have now missed $5.3 billion in state funding payments and that dozens are taking out loans just to fund their operations.

You got into education to make a difference. We know you value teaching and learning focused on your students’ needs. At PSEA, we have always envisioned a future where resources and funding are no longer obstacles for our students to reach their full potential.

Pennsylvania’s budget impasse is at odds with our values. And PSEA is doing everything possible to encourage lawmakers to come to a budget agreement and fund our public schools, ensure that all educators and support professionals are paid, and provide the state resources that our students need to learn. We just issued another public statement about this today.

Here’s what you need to know about the state budget impasse.

• The state budget is more than 120 days late.
• Public schools have missed $5.3 billion in state payments.
• Dozens of public school entities have taken out costly loans to fund their operations because they aren’t receiving the state funds they are entitled to.
• PSEA is speaking out and lobbying lawmakers daily to demand that they pass a state budget that funds our public schools.

We will keep you updated about this. And we won’t stop fighting to get a real, responsible state budget done.

Tuesday's election will determine the future of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and have a rippling effect on core issues that impact the daily life of all Pennsylvanians. It is critical you go to the ballot ready to vote "YES" on the retention candidates and vote for the PACE-recommended judges up for election.

Here’s what you need to know as you prepare to fill out your ballot:

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

After seven hours of negotiations that stretched into the early morning hours, Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) faculty said they’re preparing to strike following another failed attempt to reach a contract agreement.

Faculty negotiators report that while some minor contract items were settled Tuesday night, HACC administrators made no progress on key pay issues, including retroactive raises. Faculty members have gone 42 months without a raise.

Union leaders, including chief negotiator Amy Withrow, say faculty have reached a breaking point after years of stalled talks since unionizing in 2022.

“We don’t want to strike, but we gave HACC a deadline and they did not meet that deadline,” Withrow said.

Nearly 200 faculty, students, and supporters rallied Tuesday at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, calling on administrators to “do what’s fair.” The HACC Education Association, which is part of PSEA, will meet this week to finalize strike plans.

Want to help? Sign HACC EA’s petition and DEMAND administration negotiate a fair, equitable contract that respects the vital role faculty play in the success of their students, the college, and our communities.

Faculty at Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) have announced they will begin a strike on Nov. 5 after working more than two months without a contract.

The LCCC Association of Higher Education, an affiliate of PSEA representing 113 employees, says negotiations have stalled over key issues including health care coverage, salaries, spousal exclusions, and proposed two-tier health care plans. Faculty also cite disputes over overload pay and a significant reduction in compensation for waiving health care benefits.

LCCC’s contract expired on Aug. 31, and union leaders say the strike is a last resort after repeated efforts to reach a fair agreement with the college’s administration.

With federal and state funding frozen for programs that support families in our communities, you might hear about people who need some extra support.

Here are a few key resources for immediate assistance:

• PA Navigate – Site Gov. Shapiro has announced that Pennsylvanians can use to help find food and other resources.
• PA 211 – Dial 2-1-1 or visit pa211.org to get connected with an agency or service specific to your needs.
• Feeding Pennsylvania – Find local food banks and other food-assistance programs.

PEARL

Visit 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

• 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.
• From Paper to Pixels in 2026: Your Complete Guide to PA’s Online Standardized Assessments
  • Nov. 19, 7-8:30 p.m.

Book Discussions

• 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.

Enjoy convenient access to therapists and counselors from the comfort of home. Get support for anxiety, depression, stress/PTSD, panic disorder, grief, family and marriage issues, and more. Members, spouses, and any dependents age 18 years up to and including age 25 are covered under one membership. 

Only $25.79 per month for PSEA members

• Consults are always $0 for counseling
• Mental health consults are $25
• No insurance needed
• Designed for educators
• No contracts, cancel anytime
• 30-day money back guarantee