Cyber charter reform must go beyond money

GREATER JOHNSTOWN REGION SUPERINTENDENTS

TRIBDEM@TRIBDEM.COM

In recent months, there has been increasing momentum across Pennsylvania for cyber charter school funding reform – and rightfully so.

Our group has written about the devastating costs to our region, totaling nearly $9 million. That’s $9 million of taxpayers’ money going to vendors with no vested interest in our schools or communities.

The financial burden placed on public school districts by a broken cyber charter funding model is not just unsustainable; it’s unfair to taxpayers and damaging to our local schools.

As the conversation continues, it’s time we expand the focus beyond the budget books to consider the broader and more profound consequences of the current system – specifically, the impact on workforce readiness, mental health and educational outcomes.

First and foremost, the financial implications of the current cyber charter model are devastating. Under the present system, public school districts are required to send tens of millions of dollars to cyber charter schools annually – regardless of the quality or outcomes of the programs delivered.

In our region – and across the state – this means fewer resources for our own teachers, curriculum, student services and mental health supports, while cyber schools – operating with dramatically lower overhead – receive the same per-pupil funding as brick-and-mortar institutions.

But this problem extends well beyond budgets. Many cyber charter students are isolated from the social and experiential learning necessary to thrive in today’s workforce.

Public schools offer interaction, teamwork, mentorship, and accountability – skills that simply can’t be developed behind a screen alone.

Employers increasingly demand adaptability, communication and collaboration.

Yet, we’re sending thousands of students into an online system that deprives them of those very essentials.

Even more alarming are the mental health concerns.

The U.S. Surgeon General and leading experts have issued repeated warnings about the dangers of excessive screen time, social media and the erosion of real-life human connection.

In response, Pennsylvania lawmakers, schools and others are considering limits on cellphone use in schools – a needed conversation about structure and parameters. But the bigger question remains: How do we justify an entire educational model where a student’s full school day is spent in front of a screen with minimal live instruction and social interaction, but will only discuss limiting cell phone usage in schools?

Yes, cyber charter schools are legal under the Pennsylvania School Code. But that doesn’t mean they should be exempt from accountability or scrutiny.

The consequences of their unchecked expansion touch everything from academic achievement to emotional well-being and future workforce readiness. It’s time to make a change now.

The wasted dollars, compounding issues, and the full cost of inaction: lost opportunity, diminished outcomes and a weakened workforce.

Reform must happen – not just to fix the funding, but to restore the integrity and promise of public education in Pennsylvania.

Lastly, we hosted an Easter Egg Hunt for life skills students from across the region – one of the most heartwarming and inclusive events of the year. We welcomed every student with open arms, as we always do, because that’s what public schools are built to do: provide hope, community and opportunity to all children, no matter their background, ability or educational path.

Sadly, a cyber charter school attempted to take credit for organizing the event, even contacting the press to promote it as their own.

While we were, of course, happy to include their students – because that’s what public education does – the misrepresentation of their involvement was not only inaccurate, but deeply disheartening.

Public schools shouldn’t have to compete for credit when their mission is to serve every child with dignity, equity and care.

Nicole Dull, Conemaugh Township Area School District; Jeffrey Boyer, Ferndale Area School District; Dave Lehman, Forest Hills School District; Amy Arcurio, Greater Johnstown School District; Arnold Nadonley, Richland School District; Thomas Mitchell, Westmont Hilltop School District; and Michael J. Vuckovich, Windber Area School District.