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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 | 8:01 p.m.

Posted: 10:36 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013

Local school officials react to Gov. Corbett's proposed budget

By Brittany Boyer

CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. —

On Tuesday Gov. Tom Corbett announced his proposed budget for the 2013-2014 year fiscal year. 

Under his proposed budget there is a $28.4 billion spending plan which is a 2.4 percent increase from the previous fiscal year. 

Since Corbett was sworn into office many have discussed his funding dispersals for education. 

In 2011, Corbett came under fire after eliminating more than $550 million dollars from the basic education line item.

On Tuesday, Corbett announced that he plans to increase education funding by $90 million. 

6 News talked to some local superintendents to see what they think about the funding increase. 

"We are 72 percent state funded. We rely on the little state funding to make our little district run," said Tonya DeVecchis-Kerr, superintendent at Moshannon Valley School District. 

According to a website by the Department of Education, Moshannon Valley School District would receive an increase in funding for the 2013-2014 fiscal year.  According to the website the district would see an increase of more than $170,000. 

While the proposal shows more money, DeVecchis-Kerr said they are still worried. The website shows the district will be cut in pupil transportation and special education. 

"Special education law requires that we meet the need of all students. As those costs increase, a decrease as we are seeing for what's proposed for next year is going to have an impact," she said. 

School officials at the Clearfield Area School District told 6 News they are also concerned about the proposed budget. 

Superintendent Dr.Thomas Otto provided this statement to 6 News: "We want lawmakers to know we understand challenges they're facing, and we want to be loyal by making do with what we have. But, the mandates are ruining the morale within the profession," he said. 

Both superintendents said they are well aware that this is just a proposed budget, but they are hoping the governor makes some changes. 

"Our future is here. Our children are our future. To continue to make Pennsylvania strong, we need to continue to make our children strong," DeVecchis-Kerr said. 

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