The Pennsylvania House Education Committee recently advanced a bipartisan bill, sparking discussion on how regional education agencies, known as intermediate units (IUs), will be able to manage their facilities.
Currently, IUs are limited in their ability to own instructional buildings, which are instead leased. This has long been a burden, as leasing often costs more than purchasing the properties outright. Now, with House Bill 201, intermediate units will gain the power to buy land and buildings for educational use, saving money and improving efficiency. This move has sparked both support and concern, depending on one’s perspective on local financial responsibility and the use of taxpayer funds.
A Growing Need for Control
Pennsylvania’s 29 intermediate units have long served as key regional educational service providers. They cater to a range of needs from special education and workforce development to online learning and curriculum design. However, while these IUs are allowed to own office spaces and warehouses, they’re currently restricted when it comes to owning buildings that are used for instructional purposes.
The restriction means IUs must lease these instructional spaces, which is often expensive, and leaves them unable to adapt the spaces to better suit their students’ needs. According to the bill’s sponsors, this arrangement has created financial strain, with leasing costs sometimes far exceeding the cost of purchasing the building outright.
House Bill 201 is sponsored by state Reps. Joe Ciresi (D-Montgomery) and Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks), and it proposes to change this by allowing IUs to purchase and maintain their own instructional facilities.
Support and Backlash: A Divided Vote
The bill passed the committee with a 20-6 vote, reflecting the mixed feelings surrounding the proposal. Every Democrat on the committee supported the legislation, while Republicans were more divided, with six voting against it and six in favor.
Rep. Joe Ciresi, who has experience working with IUs in Montgomery County, argued that the bill will be a significant cost saver for the units. He emphasized that this change would allow IUs to control their own buildings and avoid the sometimes extortionate costs of leasing. In other words, buying would simply make financial sense in the long run.
Meanwhile, Rep. Kristin Marcell, who represented Bucks County, added that several IUs in her region have been restricted by the leasing model. In some cases, these units are unable to create spaces designed to meet the specific needs of their students, including those involved in early childhood programs. “The constraints of leasing prevent the IU from operating as efficiently as possible,” Marcell stated.
Republicans Split on Financial Responsibility
Despite the bill’s broad support from Democrats, Republicans were more divided, with some questioning the long-term financial impact on taxpayers. Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), the minority chair of the House Education Committee, voiced his support, explaining that local control should come with the ability to make financial decisions that best fit community needs.
“Those are the individuals that are closest to the community,” Cutler remarked. “They understand their needs, they understand the financial impact, and ultimately, I trust them to make that best decision.”
However, not everyone in his party agreed. Rep. Milou Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) was one of the six Republicans who voted against the bill, expressing concerns about the potential cost to taxpayers. “It’s just like in your own life if you can’t afford to maintain your primary residence, you should not be going out and buying additional real estate,” Mackenzie explained. She cautioned that allowing IUs to purchase more real estate could lead to unnecessary financial strain, especially in times of economic uncertainty.
What’s Next for the Bill?
The future of House Bill 201 is now in the hands of the full House and, if approved, will move to the Senate for further debate. The bill has stirred up a larger conversation about the balance between local education control and fiscal responsibility. Will the ability to buy property help IUs operate more efficiently, or is it just a recipe for escalating costs?
Only time will tell how this legislation will ultimately impact Pennsylvania’s educational landscape. But one thing is clear: it’s sparked a debate that is far from over.
Comments