When a resolution to support statewide cyber charter school funding reform was presented at the April 16 meeting, Parkland School Board President Lisa Roth said the legislature was finally going to do something about the troublesome issue.

School Director Bob Bold, a member of the legislative liaison, cautioned not to count on it.

Board member Rob Cohen, who opposes payments to poorly performing charter schools, also commented.

“This is a minimal effort our legislators are considering,” Cohen said. “This is a baby step.”

The resolution urges elected officials to support legislation to adjust the cyber charter school tuition for regular and special education students so that it is based on the actual costs of providing the education.

If changes are made in the funding requirements, the financial burden would be lowered for school districts and taxpayers.

Business Manager John Vignone commented on the matter.

“Cyber schools don’t have bricks and mortar,” Vignone said.

“What we’re paying has no relationship to the actual costs of students attending cyber schools.”

Although charter schools have buildings to rent or purchase and maintain, cyber school educational material is delivered to students online, without a physical building.

Thus far, in the 2018-19 term, Parkland has paid $1.7 million in tuition to cyber schools.

“We are already over expended this year,” Vignone said. “We are about three-quarters of a million dollars behind what was allocated.”

He noted the tuition rate established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education increases 4- to 6 percent a year.

Even if the number of students in cyber schools remains the same, the cost goes up due to tuition increases, Vignone said.

He is including an additional million dollars for cyber charter schools in the 2019-2020 Parkland budget in an attempt to keep up with increased costs.

Cohen, who opposes cyber school payments whenever they are presented to the board, said cyber students do not perform well in state testing.

Cohen and other board members have expressed concern not only over the costs of cyber schools but also the probability that those students are not receiving adequate educational opportunities.

However, the district is mandated by the state to pay the cyber and charter school tuitions.

“If the legislation is passed, it would reduce the amount of tax dollars for cyber school students in some way,” Vignone said.