Recent State Budget Approval and Cyber Charter School Funding: What You Need to Know
Introduction
On August 3, 2023, the Pennsylvania State Budget was passed, allocating an additional $700 million to K-12 education. A portion of this budget is still being negotiated, but money is now being dispersed to school districts as scheduled.
Charter School Funding
School districts receive most of their state funding through the Basic Education Funding Formula, which is based on the number of K-12 students who attend their schools and any public charter schools. Charter schools (both brick-and-mortar and cyber) are reimbursed monthly by a student's home district based on a rate set in the Charter School Law, known as the PDE 363 rate. However, following home district deductions of per-pupil expenditures; the home school district withholds approximately 25% of the funding for each student attending a charter school. (Reference: PA Coalition of Public Charter Schools). Despite this parsed funding to charter school students and their specific needs; the debate has ensued for years and reform has been called for by former governor Tom Wolf and others presently serving in the House of Representatives.
Cyber Charter Schools Under Scrutiny
Currently, cyber charter schools are facing increased scrutiny as their funding is reduced. On July 7, the House of Representatives passed H.B. 1422, which would standardize tuition for non-special education cyber charter school students and regulate special education funding more strictly. Proponents of the bill estimate that cyber charter schools would receive $456 million less in funding, should the bill pass.
Why This Matters to the Renaissance Academy Community
Renaissance Academy is a brick-and-mortar school, but the proposed changes in H.B. 1422 could eventually impact how funds are dispersed and how much funding ALL PA Charter Schools receive in the future. Representative Joe Ciresi from Montgomery County is the primary sponsor of the bill, and many of RA's students reside in Montgomery County. Families should be aware that one of their representatives is backing this bill.
What You Can Do
Continue to contact your legislator for updates and make your voice heard about charter school education and funding.
Conclusion
The proposed changes to charter school funding in H.B. 1422 could have a significant impact on Renaissance Academy and other charter schools in Pennsylvania. It is important for families and supporters of charter schools to make their voices heard and contact their legislators to express their concerns.