Board discusses, but does not withhold, charter school payments as state budget remains unpassed
October 13, 2025 | East Penn SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The East Penn School District Board on Oct. 13 discussed a possible district action to withhold charter and cyber charter payments until the Commonwealth restores regular state funding for schools, but members stopped short of approving any withholding and emphasized alternative advocacy options.
Solicitor and staff presented background: charter tuition payments are required by the Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949 and districts must make monthly payments based on per‑pupil tuition rates. The solicitor noted that if a district withholds payment the department could later redirect a district’s state subsidy to the charter school and that unpaid amounts would remain district liabilities and could incur penalties once the state budget is enacted.
Staff counsel framed recent withholding moves by some districts as largely symbolic protests meant to highlight the budget impasse and the charter funding formula, but warned of legal and financial risks. The presentation said PDE (Pennsylvania Department of Education) cannot process subsidy redirections while the state has no enacted 2025–26 budget.
Board members asked when East Penn would feel a financial pinch; administration said the district’s local tax base gives it more runway than many urban districts and estimated it could meet obligations into late winter without state subsidy. Several board members said they prefer not to withhold payments now because doing so could harm district reputation and provide limited leverage on state legislators.
Some trustees urged active advocacy on behalf of districts with fewer local resources and suggested possible public statements in support of restoration of state funding. The board did not adopt a withholding resolution at the Oct. 13 meeting; administrators said they would continue monitoring the situation and coordinating with regional superintendents.
Ending
The board left the option open for future action but favored non‑withholding at this time while exploring public advocacy and interdistrict support for financially stressed districts.
Solicitor and staff presented background: charter tuition payments are required by the Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949 and districts must make monthly payments based on per‑pupil tuition rates. The solicitor noted that if a district withholds payment the department could later redirect a district’s state subsidy to the charter school and that unpaid amounts would remain district liabilities and could incur penalties once the state budget is enacted.
Staff counsel framed recent withholding moves by some districts as largely symbolic protests meant to highlight the budget impasse and the charter funding formula, but warned of legal and financial risks. The presentation said PDE (Pennsylvania Department of Education) cannot process subsidy redirections while the state has no enacted 2025–26 budget.
Board members asked when East Penn would feel a financial pinch; administration said the district’s local tax base gives it more runway than many urban districts and estimated it could meet obligations into late winter without state subsidy. Several board members said they prefer not to withhold payments now because doing so could harm district reputation and provide limited leverage on state legislators.
Some trustees urged active advocacy on behalf of districts with fewer local resources and suggested possible public statements in support of restoration of state funding. The board did not adopt a withholding resolution at the Oct. 13 meeting; administrators said they would continue monitoring the situation and coordinating with regional superintendents.
Ending
The board left the option open for future action but favored non‑withholding at this time while exploring public advocacy and interdistrict support for financially stressed districts.
View full meeting
This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.
View full meeting