PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Pennsylvania House passed a bill that supporters say will even the playing field regarding cyber charter school payments, but opponents fear it will limit educational opportunities.
“We're not here today to close cyber programs. We are here to level the playing field once again, we are here to give back the money where the money belongs,” said Montgomery County Democrat Joe Ciresi.
Ciresi is the prime sponsor of the bill, which would set a standard tuition rate that school districts pay to cyber charter schools, put limits on unassigned fund balances, require cyber charter school meetings to follow the sunshine act, and put in what Cerisi calls “reasonable limitations” on advertising and other expenses not directly related to educating children.
“This bill does not, and let me reiterate that, does not close and eliminate cyber schools. We are not for that at all. This bill has the opportunity to take care of what the overpayments have been and … back the taxpayer money to our school districts.”
Ciresi cited several examples of annual savings under his legislation, saying Philadelphia School District would save $67 million, Chester Upland $4.6 million, $1.1 million for Pottstown, and $2.8 million for Coatesville.
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But Republican Jesse Topper questions those numbers as education funding across the board is re-examined, adding cyber charters are sometimes the only option for some families.
“We all understand that education is changing and modernizing and we must use every tool at our disposal to ensure that no child is behind, that every child has the opportunity to succeed.”
The bill passed the House 122-81 and is heading to the Senate.
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