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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2010
CONTACT:
Scott Sikorski
717-787-1377
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Senate Education Committee Endorses Corman Legislation to
Reduce the Burden of Mandates on School Districts
HARRISBURG – The Senate Education Committee approved legislation this week
sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman (R-Bellefonte) to extend a provision of the
state's Empowerment Act that allows school districts to apply for waivers from
certain mandates.
Under Senate Bill 250, the sunset date for the Mandate Waiver Program will be
removed, allowing the program to continue past the scheduled ending date of June
30, 2010.
"Mandate waivers have proven a successful means to give school districts more
flexibility to operate effectively," said Corman. "The program is worth
continuing and provides a significant costs savings to both school districts and
taxpayers."
The Mandate Waiver Program allows school districts, intermediate units and
vocational-technical schools to apply for waivers from certain requirements in
the Public School Code. To be eligible for a waiver, school entities must have
their application approved by the Department of Education and show the waiver
will allow them to improve their instructional programs or operate in a more
efficient or economical manner.
Senate Bill 250 also allows the department to grant a waiver in cases where
the school district intends to solicit multiple prime and single prime
construction bids and award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder.
The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration. | 
