North Hills school directors advocate for public education at PSBA Advocacy Day

North Hills school directors Allison Mathis and Samantha Ellwood traveled to Harrisburg on May 13 to attend PSBA Advocacy Day.

PSBA Advocacy Day is an annual event organized by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, bringing together school board directors, superintendents, and public education advocates from across the state. Participants gather at the Pennsylvania State Capitol to meet with legislators, share insights from their local districts, and advocate for policies that support and strengthen public education. This year, more than 160 school board members took part in the event.

While in Harrisburg, Mrs. Mathis met with Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe, Secretary of the Budget Uri Monson, and Representative Peter Schweyer, Majority Chair of the House Education Committee. Mrs. Ellwood met with Senator Lindsey Williams, Senator Elder Vogel, Secretary Monson and Rep. Schweyer.

Among the key issues discussed was cyber charter funding reform -- a topic frequently raised by local school districts, especially during budget season. NHSD is projected to send approximately $2 million to cyber charter schools next year. In her recent op-ed published in the Tribune-Review, Mrs. Mathis emphasizes the urgent need for fair and equitable funding formulas.

Unfunded mandates were also a topic of discussion, particularly the state-mandated 10-mile transportation radius, which requires North Hills to transport private and charter school students residing in the district.

In a May 15 update, Mrs. Mathis noted that the House Education Committee is renewing bipartisan legislation that would require school districts to report additional data on transportation for private, charter, and homeless students.

“I know on the surface this looks like just another reporting requirement,” she said, “but the data would be used to justify an increase in the transportation formula, which was last calculated in the mid-1970s. I am encouraged by the recognition of the need for reform in this area.”

Teacher certification reform was also discussed. The House Education Committee is working to modernize and streamline certificate banding, which would facilitate teacher hiring and allow districts greater flexibility in reallocating staff as needed.

Another topic was the impact of changing revenue streams since COVID-19. In 2020, Allegheny County’s common level ratio—which compares base year property assessments with current market values—was 81.1%. That ratio declined to 63.5% in 2022 and dropped further to 52.7% in 2025.

Because the common level ratio is used in property tax assessment appeals, commercial property owners have successfully appealed their valuations. This has forced the district to issue multi-year real estate tax refunds, leading to a significant decline in revenue.

The May 15 board meeting discussion can be watched below.