Dear Editor:

The May 23 article, Pa. cyber schools increase assets report draws criticism from local districts, is yet another example of the media failing to fact-check school leaders and anti-student and anti-family organizations, who consistently and habitually mislead the public.

Jim Thorpe Area School District Superintendent Robert Presley’s assertions that cyber charter schools are not accountable or subject to state laws and regulations are flat-out wrong and dishonest.

Public cyber charter schools, like school districts, are required to comply with all federal and state education laws and regulations, including annual audits, with all spending and revenues subject to public scrutiny; adhering to the Right to Know Law, Sunshine Act, and Public Official and Employee Ethics Act; following the state’s academic standards; administering the PSSAs and Keystone Exams; and special education programs and services.

Cyber charter schools are required to go further by submitting an annual report to the state Department of Education and filing a tax return with the federal IRS.

Over the past several years, public cyber charter schools have scaled up their operations to accommodate the nearly 60% increase in enrollment since the COVID-19 pandemic. It would stand to reason to see a proportionate increase in their footprint and fiscal affairs.

Public cyber charter school critics are raising their voices because more and more families are opting to remove their children from district-run schools in favor of comprehensive cyber schools.

Public cyber charter schools only exist because families are frustrated with the status quo of traditional public schools and are demanding to have a choice about where their child is educated.

Until such time school districts shift course by listening to and meeting the needs of students and families, more and more parents will continue to make the switch to public cyber charter schools.

State lawmakers in Harrisburg need to protect funding for public cyber charter school students so their families can continue sending them to the public school that best meets their needs.

Timothy Eller

Senior Vice President of Outreach and Government Relations

Commonwealth Charter Academy

Harrisburg