The Cranberry Eagle
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 Article published February 18, 2013

Liquor money may aid schools
Mars, Seneca would benefit

Sandy Pontius
Butler Eagle

HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Corbett said Tuesday he would reinvest proceeds from the proposed sale of the state liquor store system into educational block grants for schools.
“Let’s get Pennsylvania out of this outdated system of selling alcohol once and for all, and reinvest the proceeds into Pennsylvania’s future — our children,” Corbett said in a press release.
“Selling liquor is not a core function of government; education is.”
The governor said he would use $1 billion in proceeds from the proposed sale to create the multiyear Passport for Learning Block Grant. That money would be divided among school districts over four years beginning in 2014-15.
Passport for Learning would fund school safety; individualized learning programs; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs; and “Ready by 3,” a program to ensure that students perform at grade level by third grade, based on the state Common Core academic standards.
Corbett was joined by members of the General Assembly, including state Rep. Brian Ellis, R-11th, of Butler, and education and business leaders who support the plan.
The governor’s plan still must be approved by the Legislature.
Here are the amounts each school district in the Soutwestern Butler County area would receive under his plan:
@Agate-9pt Check:Mars, $1 million, including $211,744 in 2014-15
Seneca Valley, $2.9 million, including $589,075 in 2014-15