An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school finances, further providing for fiscal year relating to first class school district and for fiscal year relating to second, third and fourth class school districts; and, in collective bargaining, further providing for submission to mediation and for fact-finding panels.

PRINTER'S NO. 812
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 761
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY BROOKS, PHILLIPS-HILL, BAKER, BROWN AND SCHWANK,
MAY 22, 2025
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, MAY 22, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in school finances, further providing
for fiscal year relating to first class school district and
for fiscal year relating to second, third and fourth class
school districts; and, in collective bargaining, further
providing for submission to mediation and for fact-finding
panels.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Sections 651, 671(a), 1121-A(a) and 1122-A(a)(1)
and (2) of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as
the Public School Code of 1949, are amended to read:
Section 651. Fiscal Year.--In all school districts of the
first class and first class A, the fiscal year shall begin on
the first day of January in each year: Provided, That the Board
of Public Education of any district of the first class or first
class A may, by resolution adopted by two-thirds vote of the
members thereof at a meeting of the board after not less than
ten days' notice of the fact that such resolution would be
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presented for action at such meeting, fix the fiscal year of
such school district so as to begin on the first day of [July]
August in each year instead of on the first day of January as
hereinabove provided.
Section 671. Fiscal Year.--(a) In all school districts of
the second, third, and fourth class, the fiscal year shall begin
on the first day of [July] August in each year: Provided, That
the board of school directors of any district of the second
class may, by resolution adopted by two-thirds vote of the
members thereof at a meeting of the board after not less than
ten days' notice of the fact that such resolution would be
presented for action at such meeting, fix the fiscal year of
such school district so as to begin on the first day of January
in each year instead of on the first day of [July] August as
hereinabove provided.
* * *
Section 1121-A. Submission to Mediation.--(a) If, after a
reasonable period of negotiation, a dispute or impasse exists
between the representatives of the employer and the employe
organization, the parties may voluntarily submit to mediation,
but, if no agreement is reached between the parties within
forty-five (45) days after negotiations have commenced, but in
no event later than one hundred twenty-six (126) days prior to
[June 30] July 31 or December 31, whichever is the end of the
school entity's fiscal year, and mediation has not been utilized
by the parties, both parties shall immediately in writing call
on the service of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Mediation.
* * *
Section 1122-A. Fact-finding Panels.--(a) (1) Once
mediation has commenced, it shall continue for so long as the
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parties have not reached an agreement. If, however, an agreement
has not been reached within forty-five (45) days after mediation
has commenced or in no event later than eighty-one (81) days
prior to [June 30] July 31 or December 31, whichever is the end
of the school entity's fiscal year, the Bureau of Mediation
shall notify the board of the parties' failure to reach an
agreement and of whether either party has requested the
appointment of a fact-finding panel.
(2) No later than eighty-one (81) days prior to [June 30]
July 31 or December 31, whichever is the end of the school
entity's fiscal year, either party may request the board to
appoint a fact-finding panel. Upon receiving such request, the
board shall appoint a fact-finding panel which may consist of
either one (1) or three (3) members. The panel so designated or
selected shall hold hearings and take oral or written testimony
and shall have subpoena power. If, during this time, the parties
have not reached an independent agreement, the panel shall make
findings of fact and recommendations. The panel shall not find
or recommend that the parties accept or adopt an impasse
procedure.
* * *
Section 2. The amendment of sections 651, 671(a), 1121-A(a)
and 1122-A(a)(1) and (2) of the act shall apply to the first
fiscal year of a school district commencing after the effective
date of this section and each fiscal year thereafter.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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