Mars Area School District will receive an additional $1,420,297 in recurring state education funding for the 2026-27 school year. District officials say the funding will support 14 new positions and expanded student services as teacher contract negotiations move into Pennsylvania’s fact-finding process.
The additional funding stems from Pennsylvania’s revised public school funding formula, adopted after a state court ruled the Commonwealth’s previous education funding system unconstitutional. Under the new adequacy formula, Mars Area School District qualified for an Adequacy Supplement because the state determined the district had historically received less funding than the new formula considers adequate.
District officials emphasized that the district did not apply for the funding and that the designation is not based on financial hardship. Instead, they said it is part of the Commonwealth’s multi-year effort to implement a new statewide education funding model.
According to the district, the recurring funds directly enabled the addition of 14 key positions for 2026-27 that otherwise would not have been budgeted, including:
- 10 professional staff positions
- 1 behavior specialist
- 1 elementary assistant principal
- 1 school police officer
- 1 evening custodial supervisor
District officials explained that the state funding must be used for educational purposes established by the Commonwealth, including strengthening academic programs, supportive learning environments, data-informed instruction and multi-tiered student supports.
“The state budget came in slightly higher than expected and it does not change the district’s financial outlook or long-term planning,” the district said in a written response to questions from The 228 Times.
District officials also said residents should not expect the additional state funding to directly reduce property taxes because the money is restricted to specific educational purposes established by the Commonwealth. However, they said the funding helps pay for eligible educational programs, staffing and student services that otherwise would rely on local revenue, reducing pressure on the local tax base over time.
Officials also noted that funding differences among neighboring school districts reflect Pennsylvania’s statewide adequacy formula, which considers a variety of district-specific factors rather than making direct comparisons between neighboring districts.
Collective Bargaining & The $7 Million Fund Balance
Both sides agree that the $1.42M in new state funding shouldn’t directly dictate teacher contract negotiations. However, they hold sharp differences over how the district’s broader financial standing impacts current contract talks.
“The Adequacy Supplement is one component of the district’s overall funding and is intended to support specific educational programs and services,” the district said. “Collective bargaining is based on many factors, including the district’s long-term financial position, operational needs and legal obligations, and is not determined by any single funding source.”
MAEA Union President Hollie Meckler said the association was aware months ago that the district would receive the additional state funding and agreed it should not be viewed as the determining factor in negotiations.
“The public should understand that this new state funding is separate from the current negotiations and should not be viewed as the reason a fair agreement can or cannot be reached,” Meckler said.
However, Meckler argued the district already has the financial resources to invest more in teachers.
“The District can afford to invest in teachers,” Meckler said. She explained the district has added approximately $7 million to its fund balance over the past five years, demonstrating what she believes is a strong financial position. “We believe some of those resources should be invested in the people who directly educate students every day.”
In response to follow-up questions from The 228 Times, District Business Manager Debbie Brandstetter said the district’s fund balance has grown over several years and that approximately $4.5 million has already been assigned for capital improvement projects planned during the next three years. She also said the district’s new staffing positions were added because of the additional Ready to Learn Adequacy funding and would not have been included in the budget without those funds.
Meckler also said the state’s adequacy funding validates what educators have argued for years.
“The district has underfunded our school district for a long time,” she said. “We’ve been one of the lowest in instructional spending in the state for many years. Teachers are included in that calculation. Our students deserve better, and I’m happy the state recognizes the gap and is willing to step in.”
The additional funding comes as negotiations continue between the district and the teachers union.
What’s Next: Moving to Fact-Finding
According to Meckler, the parties met July 7 for a bargaining session that lasted nearly three hours. During the meeting, both sides exchanged proposals on limited issues and discussed several outstanding non-economic issues.
District officials confirmed the district has requested fact-finding, the next formal step in Pennsylvania’s collective bargaining process. According to Meckler, the district informed the union of its decision following the July 7 bargaining session.
During fact-finding, a neutral third party reviews unresolved issues—including what Meckler described as the overall compensation package—and issues non-binding recommendations aimed at helping the parties reach an agreement. Either side may accept or reject the fact-finder’s recommendations.
When asked whether she remains optimistic that an agreement can be reached before the start of the school year, Meckler replied, “We are committed to continue to advocate for a fair settlement for our teachers and are willing to do whatever it takes to reach that goal.”
