Parkland School District will submit a claim form in the class action lawsuit, Albert Gallatin Area School District et al v. The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette County.

However, the district’s reimbursement will be disappointingly small.

At the June 27 meeting, Superintendent Richard Sniscak reported Parkland paid $71,755 to the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School but will receive only $523 in the class action settlement.

Board member Rob Cohen, who opposes payments to cyber schools, commented on the issue.

“Once again we’re being ripped off by cyber schools,” Cohen said. “I am opposed to this settlement.”

Allegations set forth in the lawsuit claim the cyber school improperly billed and received funds from school districts for tuition and expenses for 4-year-olds enrolled in its kindergarten program.

As most public schools do not allow 4-year-olds in kindergarten, they should not have to pay for those children in cyber schools, according to the lawsuit.

Districts are required to make payments to cyber schools only for students who would otherwise be attending public schools in their jurisdiction.

Board member Barry Long asked how this situation arose involving 4-year-olds.

“Where’s the accountability that sees this problem before it develops?” Long asked. “Are there no checks and balances in the system?

“Let’s make legislators aware there’s no accountability.”

Business Manager John Vignone reported at the time of the payments for 4-year-olds, the state was deducting the money from the school districts.

The situation has changed, and district officials now scrutinize cyber enrollees to make certain they would qualify as Parkland students.

District Solicitor Steven Miller expressed little confidence in class action lawsuits.

“At the end of the day, usually everyone ends up losing,” Miller said. “The cyber school doesn’t have any money to pay.”

Vignone reported payments to cyber charter schools are growing at a fast pace.

In the 2017-18 school budget, Parkland anticipates paying $3.6 million to cyber charter schools attended by district residents.

Superintendent Richard Sniscak commented on the situation. “This is the cost of school choice programs.”