Supporters Rally to Save Scotland School for Vets' Kids

Employees and students at the Scotland School for Veterans’ Children in Franklin County have found new arrangements for next year. But with no final budget in Harrisburg, advocates are holding out hope state support for the institution will be restored. Funding for the school ran out on July 1st, and all its teachers have been let go, except for a skeleton staff overseeing its closure.
Governor Rendell’s spending plan eliminated 10 and a half million dollars in funding for the school. Since the final budget will likely be smaller than his 28.8 billion dollar proposal, many view Scotland School as a lost cause.
But Representative Rob Kauffman, a Franklin County Republican, says there’s still hope.

"We can have a lean budget that includes Scotland School for Veterans Children. We can have—this is a priority. The governor and many of his folks, he’s not saving money by closing Scotland School. He’s taking this money and putting it in other programs."

Kauffman and other Scotland School supporters held a rally outside the Capitol Monday, and visited lawmakers in their offices. He says even though budget negotiations are being carried out by a small group of leaders, rank-and-file members will have input on specific line items, so rallies and lobbying are still worthwhile.