The article “Western Pa. school districts tally expected savings from cyber charter tuition reform” (March 3, TribLive) reveals an important truth: For many school districts, it will never be enough.
Despite receiving record levels of state funding, including hundreds of millions in new dollars, school district leaders say the latest cuts to public cyber charter schools are “not nearly as impactful” as hoped. When $175 million to $250 million in projected statewide savings still draws complaints, it’s clear this debate is not simply about money.
Public cyber charter school tuition represents roughly 2% of the average district’s budget. The significant cost drivers are debt service, salaries and benefits, which consume the overwhelming majority of district spending. If meaningful “savings” is the goal, it will not be found by targeting a small slice of the budget. The math simply does not support the rhetoric.
Instead, this debate reflects a deeper belief that only school districts should educate children. Public cyber charter schools challenge that assumption by giving families public school choice, and thousands of Pennsylvania students rely on that option.
Public education funding exists to educate students, not to preserve monopoly control. Until that distinction is acknowledged, no amount of “savings” will ever satisfy those who simply want the competition gone.
Timothy A. Eller
Harrisburg