Superintendent advocates for equitable school funding and cyber charter reform in Harrisburg

The Tunkhannock Area School District (TASD) School Board convened on May 15, 2025, to address pressing financial challenges and advocate for necessary reforms in state funding. Superintendent Doherty opened the meeting by discussing his recent advocacy efforts in Harrisburg, where he emphasized the need for equitable funding distribution among school districts. He highlighted concerns that larger districts, such as Wilkes-Barre, are attracting staff away from smaller districts due to disparities in funding.

Doherty urged local bus contractors to engage with state legislators regarding the outdated transportation funding formula, which has not been revised since the 1970s. He noted that the current system places an unfair financial burden on local taxpayers and called for adjustments to alleviate this issue.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the need for cyber charter school funding reform. Doherty pointed out that the current funding model results in inequities, with some districts paying significantly more for the same educational services compared to others. He proposed that reforming the funding structure could help close the district's budget gap, which currently stands at approximately $2.4 to $2.5 million. He mentioned a proposed bill in Harrisburg that would limit the charges of outside cyber charter schools to the cost of running internal programs, which could potentially save the district around $2.7 million.

The meeting also included an update on the district's budget for the 2025-2026 school year. Doherty reported that efforts to reduce the deficit have been somewhat successful, decreasing it from $3 million to the current figure. However, he cautioned that further cuts may lead to increased class sizes and the elimination of student programs. He expressed concern over the governor's proposed budget, which he argued disproportionately favors urban districts at the expense of rural schools like TASD.

In addition to budgetary concerns, the board discussed the farmstead and homestead exclusion exemption, which will provide Wyoming County households with additional tax credits. Doherty emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy fund balance for future renovations and modernization of aging school facilities, as state funding for such projects has diminished.

The meeting concluded with a note of disappointment regarding a community member's claim that the district does not require additional funding. Doherty reiterated the ongoing financial challenges and the need for continued advocacy to secure necessary resources for the district's future.