Panther Valley School District intends to do whatever is necessary to give students a quality education, and if that means seeking legal redress over inequities in the state education system, then so be it.

On Thursday, Superintendent Dennis R. Kergick Sr. announced reasons why the district has joined with several others in a funding-based lawsuit against the Department of Education, Gov. Tom Corbett and other defendants."We require equitable and adequate funding," he said.Kergick's prepared comments at the start of the Panther Valley School District board of education meeting held at the high school-middle school complex provoked discussion about problems created by what the district perceives as the state's reluctance or inability to achieve fairness and equity.Kergick detailed the issues."Because of insufficient funding, the petitioner school districts are unable to provide students with basic elements of an adequate education."Examples he listed are appropriate class sizes, sufficient, experienced and effective teachers, up-to-date books and technology, adequate course offerings, sufficient administrative staff, academic remediation, counseling and behavioral health services, and suitable facilities necessary to prepare students to meet state proficiency standards.The lawsuit, filed this week, enjoins the Panther Valley district with Shenandoah Valley, William Penn of Lancaster, Greater Johnstown and Wilkes-Barre Area.Many issuesKergick's three-page statement said the problem is far-reaching."Current poverty levels, combined with the growing wealth gap between those at the top and bottom of the distribution, threaten to destabilize our democracy and limit the upward mobility of children of future generations."Kergick said the problem can be traced directly to the state."The state has consistently failed to meet this basic responsibility. Across the state, in urban and rural communities alike, the state is not providing our schools with the necessary resources and tools which principals and teachers must have to educate our children for the Pennsylvania of the 21st century."The PV board appeared to be unanimous in support of the action and the purpose of the lawsuit.Kenneth Marx Jr., business manager, suggested that a review of spending numbers illustrates disparity."We should be looking at how much we are spending per pupil. Three years ago, we were third lowest of 501 school districts in the state," Marx said.Member R. Mickey Angst said he intends to contact local lawmakers about the issue, including state Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, state Sen. David Argall, R-29 and Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-122."We shouldn't have to go through the courts to do this; they ought to do this in the legislature," Angst said.Costs discussedKergick had calming words for those who might be concerned about potential legal costs."I must emphasize that the legal services are free and that the attorneys will raise or bear the costs of experts, and that the only costs to the district would be the staffing time to provide us the information necessary for the complaint and to respond to discovery requests in the future. The districts will also have the minor expenses of their own travel time and costs to attend depositions or trial if that becomes necessary," said Kergick.According to Kergick, the issue is rooted in the state's failure to provide for curriculum materials, school nurses, counselors, academic tutoring, career and technical education, college prep classes and many other basics."The state must ensure that every student receives these primary elements of education," said Kergick, "not only those living in select ZIP codes."