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SSSD Might Still Have Hope

SSSD Might Still Have Hope - Monday, July 27, 2009 at 6:32PM EST

Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Monday, Jul 27, 2009 @ 06:32pm EST

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- Simply put, the House voted to restore funding for the Scranton State School for the Deaf as state-run, but the Senate disagreed, and it's still in limbo.

"I wish they'd take a good hard look at how they're spending the money," said former SSSD board president, Marge Matisko, a board member for 14 years.

As budget talks continue in Harrisburg, she wants state legislators to restore funding for the school as a state-run operation. We spoke with Senator Bob Mellow (D-Lackawanna) this past week. He says that's not an option.

"SSSD isn't even a consideration at this point," said Mellow.

But Representative Kevin Murphy disagrees. He and the House passed a proposed budget that restored funding for the school. But the Senate turned it down.

"The SSSD is under the direction of WPSD, and it has been for the better part of the past six weeks," said Mellow.

Matisko says that could change, and the teachers are on a three-year call back in case the state decides to restore funding for SSSD. She says she's mostly frustrated with the new school's plans to send high school kids to Pittsburgh.

"We'd like to see the kids be able to go Kindergarten through 12th grade in Scranton, but that won't happen with WPSD," said Matisko. The new operator plans to move high school kids to a residential program in Pittsburgh within one to two years.

And while it might be a long shot, she hopes she'll have the chance to keep the students in Scranton, a place she says they consider home.

"We've been doing that for the past 129 years," said Matisko. "And we hope to do it for another 129 years."

Again, the state has yet to pass a balanced budget, which may or may not restore funding for SSSD as a state-run entity. If the Senate and House can't agree on a budget, it'll go to a conference committee. Stay with Eyewitness News as this story develops.
 


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