Ciresi, Marcell bipartisan bill to allow Intermediate Units to own facilities for instructional use passes House

Bipartisan legislation (H.B. 201) introduced by state Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Kristin Marcell, R-Bucks, which would allow intermediate units to own facilities for instructional space overwhelmingly passed the House today (155-47).

Last session, the legislation, introduced as H.B. 1526, passed the House and was sent to the Senate for consideration. However, the Senate did not act on it.

IUs are regional educational service agencies that were created by the legislature in 1970. They provide special education, professional development and technical assistance services to public school districts and non-public/private schools. They also serve as liaisons between school districts and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Every year, more than 175,000 students and 50,000 educators receive services and training from IUs.

Currently, IUs are only permitted to own office space and warehouse facilities, not facilities used for instructional space. This limitation does not apply to school districts, area career and technical schools, or charter schools, even though many IUs operate classrooms and other instructional spaces. As a result, all of their instructional facilities must be leased, burdening IUs with rental costs that sometimes greatly exceed what it would cost the IU to purchase and own the facility themselves.

“I was thrilled today by the overwhelming bipartisan support for this commonsense legislation to help curb IU high operational costs due to current law restricting an IUs ability to own the instructional facilities they use,” Ciresi said. “This legislation would allow IUs to own their instructional spaces, enabling them to choose what works best for them and the students they serve while controlling educational costs. This legislation would help make sure that taxpayer money goes where it should—to providing IU students with a top-notch education.”

Both Ciresi and Marcell served on school boards prior to serving in the House. Ciresi was a member of the Spring-Ford Area School Board for 12 years, which included three years as president and three years as vice president. Marcell was a member of the Council Rock School Board from 2018-23, which included one year as vice president.

The legislation is now on its way to the Senate for consideration.