The Pennsylvania Constitution directs the General Assembly to provide for the support of an efficient system of public schools where all children of the Commonwealth above the age of six may be educated. Since 1834, when the first public school law was enacted, the General Assembly passed legislation to gradually develop the present school system. The laws relating to Pennsylvania schools are consolidated into what is known as the Public School Code, which sets up five classes of school districts according to population. School districts are administered by nine member school boards elected by the people for four year overlapping terms, except in Philadelphia. In Philadelphia, in accordance with the Educational Supplement to the Home Rule Charter, a nine member board is appointed by the mayor from a list submitted by an education nominating panel. As of January 1984, there were 501 public school districts in the Commonwealth.

The boards of school directors, as the local controlling and governing bodies for the public schools, have full power to carry out the responsibilities assigned to them by law. They employ school personnel, provide for school buildings, buy textbooks and other supplies, levy taxes and issue bonds for school purposes. The law assigns powers, duties and responsibilities to the school board as a whole and not to individual members. Away from board meetings, an individual member has no more authority over school policy or personnel than any other citizen.

The administrative head of a school district is the superintendent. The superintendent recommends teachers and other personnel for appointment by the board. While the school board exercises policymaking functions, the superintendent serves as the board's executive officer and professional advisor. This official usually prepares the proposed annual school budget and makes other recommendations for the board to accept, modify or reject. The school directors adopt general rules and regulations covering the management, supervision, control or prohibition of any exercises, games, school publications or activities in the schools.

The following are microfilm copies of records available at the State Archives. See School Districts List for additional records.

Note: Access to student records may be restricted. Contact the State Archives for more information.

ABBOTTSTOWN BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT (Adams County)

• Minute Books, 1903-1918, 1924-1925. (1 microfilm roll, partial) (LR 597)
• School Attendance Register, 1957-1958. (1 microfilm roll, partial) (LR 597)
• Treasurer's Book, 1905-1924. (1 microfilm roll, partial (LR 597)

BLOSSBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT (Tioga County)

• Minute Books, 1899-1911. (1 microfilm roll) (LR 463)

BRADFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT (McKean County)

• Minute Books, 1837-1845, 1861. (1 microfilm roll)

CARLISLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT (Cumberland County)

• Minutes of Carlisle Borough Board of School Directors, 1836-1902, and Teachers' Salaries, 1836-1860. 2 rolls. (LR 284)
• Alumni Register of the Carlisle High School, 1848-1853, 1856-1900, 1902-1932. 1 roll. (LR 286)

CLEARFIELD BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT (Clearfield County)

• Minutes of the Clearfield Borough School District, 1891-1895, 1900-1903, 1905-1943. 5 rolls. (LR 303)
• Alumni Book, Clearfield Borough School District Board, 1876-1946.
• Auditors' Reports of the Clearfield Borough School District Board, 1911-1928, 1930-1934, 1936. 1 roll. (LR 304)
• Clearfield County Teachers Institute Proceedings, 1888-1893. 1 roll (LR305)
• Cornerstone Records of Clearfield Borough School District Board, 1810-1902. 1 roll (LR305)
• School and Miscellaneous Publications of the Clearfield Borough School District Board, 1874-1976. 1 roll. (LR 305)

COLUMBIA BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT (Lancaster County)

• Minute Books and Supplemental Material, 1846-1997. 25 rolls. (LR442)
• Graduates of Columbia High School, 1903-1945. 1 roll. (LR442)
• List of Students, 1916-1945. 1 roll. (LR442)
• World War II Casualties, 1945. 1 roll. (LR442)
• Columbia News: List of Students in Armed Forces, undated. 1 roll. (LR442)
• Minute Book of the Board of Directors and Trustees of Glatfelter Memorial Athletic Field, 1952-1962. 1 roll. (LR442)
• Parent Teachers Association Minute Book, 1955-1968. 1 roll. (LR442)

DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT (Tioga County)

• Enrollment Books, 1905-1909. (1 microfilm roll, partial) (LR 583)
• Teacher's Monthly Reports, 1876-1920. (3 microfilm rolls) (LR 583, 593)

DICKINSON TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT (Cumberland County)

• Minutes of the Dickinson School District Board of School Directors, 1861-1889. 2 rolls. (LR 285)

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT (YORK COUNTY)

• Records, 1856-1908. 1 roll (LR 519)

FREEDOM TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT (Blair County)

• Minute Book, 1940-1955. 1 roll. (LR 395)

GENERAL MCLANE SCHOOL DISTRICT (Erie County)

• Central Erie County School Authority Minutes, 1958-1961. 1 roll (LR 495)
• Edinboro Area School District Minute Books, 1910-1969. 3 rolls (LR 494)
• Franklin Township School District Secretary and Minute Books, 1888-1904, 1924-1959. 1 roll (LR495)
• General McLane Joint School District Minute Books, 1954-1972. 3 rolls (LR 494)
• McKean Township School District Minute Books, 1899-1901, 1955-1969. 1 roll (LR495)
• Middleboro Independent School District Minute Books, 1881-1893, 1925-1935. 2 rolls (LR495)
• Testimony on Merger of General McLane School District , 1969. 1 roll (LR 495)
• Washington Township School District Minute Books, 1904-1909, 1928-1959. 2 rolls (LR 495)

GIBSONBURG/JERMYN SCHOOL DISTRICT (Erie County)

• Minute Book, 1870-1892. 1 roll (LR 436)

GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT (Erie County)

• Annual Report of the Standing of Pupils, 1912-1917 1 roll (LR 327)
• Enrollment of Children, 1903-1904; 1915-1918 1 roll (LR 327)
• Record of Books and Supplies, 1895-1910 1 roll (LR 327)
• Scholars Report, 1883, 1916-1917 1 roll (LR 327)
• School Board Minutes, 1872-1879, 1882-1890; 1894-1938 2 rolls (LR 327)
• School Souvenirs, 1899-1900; 1910-1921 1 roll (LR 327)
• Teachers' Classification Register, 1893-1907, 1910-1914. 1 roll. (LR 327)

HARRISBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT (Dauphin County)

• Minute Books, 1848-1982. 34 rolls (LC 80)

LINCOLN INTERMEDIATE UNIT (Adams, Franklin and York Counties)

• Minutes of the Franklin County School Directors Association, 1892, 1903-1906, 1908-1913, 1924-1925. 1 roll (LR 324)
• Register of Teacher and Principal Certification, 1924-1969. 1 roll (LR 324)
• Teacher Certification Book, 1859-1940. 1 roll (LR 324)
• Teacher Provisional Certification Register (York County), 1911-1919. 1 roll (LR 324)
• York County Annual District Report Books, 1897-1918. 1 roll. (LR 324)

MILL CREEK TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT (Erie County)

• Minute Books, 1834-1882, 1920-2003. 5 rolls. (LRGP 140)

PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT

• Meeting Journals, 1875-1913. 10 rolls. (LRGP 42)

SPRING COVE SCHOOL DISTRICT (Blair County)

• Minute Books, 1888-1895, 1898-1909, 1918-1964. 4 rolls. (LR 393)

TAYLOR TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT (Blair County)

• Minute Book, 1927-1944. 2 rolls. (LR 395)

WELLSVILLE BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT (York County)

• Minute Books, 1915-1927, 1933-1949. 1 roll. (LR452)
  
  

WRIGHT TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT MINUTE BOOK (Luzerne County)

• Minute Book, 1903-1911. 1 roll. (LR 403)

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