FALLOWFIELD TOWNSHIP - Gov. Ed Rendell visited Charleroi Area High School on Wednesday. He visited nine other school districts at the same time.
Using Classrooms of the Future technology, about 30 Charleroi Area freshmen joined a select group of students from districts from around the state in a video conference with the governor.
The local participants were drawn from four U.S. History classes Tyra Savarese teaches at Charleroi Area.
The district received Classrooms of the Future technology through a grant obtained by teacher Michelle Piatt and technology director Bill Flenniken.
Rendell discussed education sections of President Obama's stimulus package and his state budget proposals as they relate to making college more affordable. The governor accepted questions from students in the 10 participating school districts.
In opening remarks, the governor said the president's stimulus bill includes a $500 increase in Pell grants and a tax credit of $2,500 for each child attending college.
Rendell said his proposed budget restores $35 million that would have been lost next year because of reductions to education grant programs by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.
It increases PHEA funding by an additional $15 million so 10,000 more students can attend community colleges.
Rendell said he has proposed the Tuition Relief Act, which would legalize video poker and tax proceeds to reduce the cost of college for Pennsylvania families. Families earning less than $100,000 would receive relief, based on a sliding scale. The minimum tuition would be $1,000.
"For the sons and daughters of laid-off parents, it will enable them to realize their dreams of attending college," Rendell said.
The governor said West Virginia and Oregon already tax legal poker machine proceeds. He estimated that in Pennsylvania, the proceeds would generate $500 million annually.
"I'm not a fan of gambling, but it's a fact of life," Rendell said.
The video screen showed each classroom live with the governor pictured in the middle. As each district took its turn in the question-and-answer period, it was seen center screen.
Rendell answered questions on such subjects as: working with a lieutenant governor from the opposition party, the possibility of generating revenue from taxing royalties from natural oil and gas extraction, general education subsidies, and priorities in the state budget.
Charleroi Area students asked why the cost of higher education keeps going up. Rendell said health care and fuel costs are among the main culprits.
After each district had the opportunity to ask at least one question, Rendell fielded questions from the students for the remainder of the one-hour session.
The Charleroi students - who were attentive during the session - said they appreciated the opportunity to participate in the video conference.
Students Jared Sullenberger and Brandon Komer said it was a great experience to talk directly to the governor. Sullenberger said he learned a lot about the president's economic stimulus package.
"It was interesting to talk to other districts around the state," said Katelyn Patrick, adding she learned more about the governor's proposed tuition relief package.
Chapin Meny said taxing video poker is a "very useful" way to fund tuition relief.
"It was a very intellectual experience," Cody Kuhel said. "It opened my eyes toward tuition and how much money it will cost to go to college."
Emilee Lynn said it was an honor to participate, noting that while the Charleroi Area students were all freshman, other district groups comprised mostly juniors and seniors.
