LETTER: All Pa. school students should be treated and funded fairly

It’s difficult to believe, though not surprising, that the superintendents of Pottsgrove School District, Pottstown School District, and Perkiomen Valley School District are advocating to cut $530 million in funding to 60,000 public school students who attend public cyber schools (“Cyber charter costs drain our school budgets,” June 17).

It’s astonishing that these so-called educational leaders would lobby state lawmakers to dismantle the very schools that these children and their families depend on for their education.

While these districts spend approximately $23,500 per student, a resident student who attends a cyber school would receive only $8,000, or $15,500 less, under the plan supported by these superintendents and many like them across the state. How is this fair, equitable, and in compliance with last year’s Commonwealth Court ruling in the William Penn School District school funding lawsuit?

The fact is, school districts, many state lawmakers, and anti-student and anti-family organizations see public cyber school students as second-class citizens not worthy of a comprehensive public education.

Their disdain for families having the option to choose the school that best serves their children is palpable and unbecoming of educators.

Public cyber charter schools serve as viable alternatives to traditional public schools for students who have unique needs, have been bullied, or are dealing with personal challenges. Many students enrolled in a cyber school are at risk, have mental health concerns and medical complications, work full-time jobs, are teen parents, or identify as LGBTQ+.

Educators should not be advocating against students nor should they be calling for funding cuts to one group of students while supporting massive increases to another group.

All students, regardless of what public school they attend, should be treated and funded fairly and equitably. Anything less is unacceptable.

Timothy A. Eller is senior vice president of outreach and government relations for Commonwealth Charter Academy.