Berks County superintendents visited Harrisburg on October 29 and 30, 2019, for the 2019 Study Council event. Over the course of two days, attendees met with legislative leaders to discuss the issues facing Pennsylvania’s public schools.
On Tuesday, attendees met with legislators from the House of Representatives and the Senate, including Representative Curt Sonney, chairman of the House Education Committee; Senator Ryan Aument, chairman of the Senate Education Committee; Senator Pat Browne, co-chair of the Early Childhood Education Caucus; and Berks County Senator Judy Schwank.
During a working lunch, the superintendents were joined by delegates from across Berks County for a roundtable discussion. Those in attendance included Representative Tom Caltagirone; Representative Jim Cox; Representative Ryan Mackenzie, Representative Mark Gillen, Representative Mark Rozzi, Senator Judy Schwank, and Lisa Walter from Senator Bob Mensch’s office.
On Wednesday, the group met with leaders from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera and Deputy Secretary Matt Stem welcomed the group, who also met with Executive Deputy Secretary David Volkman, Brian Campbell, Carol Clancy, Dr. Rosemary Hughes, and Dr. Sherry Smith.
Additionally, the team heard updates from Dr. Mark DiRocco, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) and Hannah S. Barrick, J.D., Assistant Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO).
The Study Council continues to be a pillar of the BCIU’s advocacy efforts, one that strengthens the relationship between our Berks County education leaders and our representatives in Harrisburg.
Superintendents from Berks County pose with Secretary Pedro Rivera and Deputy Secretary Matthew Stem at the PA Department of Education.