A new state budget deal will ensure additional money goes to Delaware County’s poorer school districts, writes Maddie Hanna for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Upper Darby School District will receive another $4.8 million from the state this coming year.

The district has drawn on $6 million from its reserves to cover rising costs in its $227 million budget next year.

That means the extra money won’t go to hire needed staff, but to cover existing expenses.

 “Don’t get me wrong, we appreciate it,” said Superintendent Dan McGarry. But “obviously, we were hoping for more.”

The $300 million increase for K-12 schools approved by legislators is the largest in the state’s education subsidy during Gov. Tom Wolf’s tenure, but it is well short of the $1.3 billion Wolf had pushed for.

Of the $300 million, $100 million goes to the 100 districts with the fewest resources.

 William Penn School District Superintendent Eric Becoats said the $1.7 million increase its getting “is definitely a help,” but “there’s still a significant gap.”

William Penn still needs a social worker in every school and support staff for teachers manning 26- student classrooms.

Read more at The Philadelphia Inquirer about state funds for the area’s poorest school districts.