School districts are expected to save $178 million after cyber tuition calculations were adjusted in the state budget.
YORK, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s cyber charter schools will go through a series of financial and accountability reforms that are set to save school districts millions of dollars.
The reforms were triggered with the signing of the Pa. state budget last Wednesday.
Under the bill, the formula for cyber charter tuition was changed to prevent school districts from overpaying for services. The state budget also included several accountability measures, like mandatory wellness and residency checks for students.
Chris Lillienthal, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Education Association, said the measures will save districts $178 million.
“We want to make sure that kids have the resources they need to get a good, quality education in a cyber school setting,” said Lillienthal. “But we also want to make sure that school districts aren’t being asked to overpay.”
State Senator Dawn Keefer (R-York) is critical of the reforms, arguing it represents a devasting blow for school choice in Pennsylvania. She added that the financial reforms could cause some smaller cyber charter schools to close.
“The larger cybers, right? They have economies of scale, and they can probably endure this,” said Keefer. “But some of these smaller ones that are serving our most vulnerable, lowest income students, they’re the ones who are going to be hurt by this.”
Education officials say the reforms will help school districts fill budgetary gaps, while cyber charter supporters want to see more accountability in the education system.
“Things like this are common sense,” said Lillienthal. “They’re in the best interest of students and the best interest of taxpayers.”
“What is the total dollar amount? How much is actually going to the students? What are the true needs,” asked Keefer.
The reforms were part of a larger package that sent an additional $900 million in funding to public school districts.
