Committee discusses state budget outreach and cyber charter funding concerns; staff to contact PASBO/PASA for coordinated action

Committee members on Sept. 15 discussed outreach to state officials and the broader education community about the pending Pennsylvania state budget, and they directed staff to follow up with state associations for coordinated district action. An unnamed staff member described recent conversations at the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) and said a lawyer who works at the state capitol had briefed attendees about budget status and potential next steps. The staff member said cyber charter funding and the nomination of the state education secretary had become political flash points: "they pulled the nomination of the secretary of education, Gary Roe..." the staff member said, describing one factor slowing the budget process. The committee also discussed cyber charter funding and safety standards for fully remote students. A staff member told the committee that legislative proposals under discussion include a possible cap on cyber charter funding and additional requirements for students enrolled full-time in cyber programs. "Students that go full cyber that are not required to go in person anywhere, there is a huge safety concern that right now in school code that, kids could go full cyber and never be on camera," the staff member said, raising concerns about attendance verification and student safety. Why it matters: Changes to state funding for cyber charter schools and the school budget timetable would directly affect district planning, finance and student safety protocols. Committee members said coordinated outreach — potentially a joint letter or collection of community responses — could be used to press the state legislature and administration on budget and policy issues. Key points - Outreach options: Staff said PASBO (Pennsylvania Association for School Business Officials) had offered to help draft or coordinate a letter from districts and community partners; an intermediate unit (IU) legal contact would prepare a collective legal-style letter for electronic signatures. - Staff direction: Committee members agreed staff should reconnect with PASBO and other districts, pursue a meeting and report back to the board or superintendent's group with recommendations for community outreach. - Cyber charter funding and safety: Staff reported conversations at PASA indicating a possible cap on cyber charter funding is closer than before; however, stakeholders debate whether caps should be paired with safety or programmatic requirements. Staff noted cyber providers argue a cap would undermine their operations but that many superintendents disagree with that characterization. Discussion vs. decision - Discussion: Committee members discussed state-level processes, political dynamics delaying budget passage, and possible actions the district and community could take to influence policy. - Direction/assignment: Staff were asked to contact PASBO to schedule a meeting, to ask the IU about collective-letter options, and to report back at a superintendent meeting or the next committee update. - Formal action: No formal vote or board resolution was recorded in the transcript; committee gave staff direction to pursue outreach and report back. Clarifying details and context Staff said statewide associations and intermediate units are actively discussing both cyber charter funding and safety requirements and that some districts have already contacted their legislators. Committee members noted the unknowns in the state budget process can directly affect the district calendar and planning. One staff comment described a legislative proposal that would withhold school openings until a state budget passed, an idea that would have statewide operational implications if enacted. Ending Staff will follow up with PASBO and the intermediate unit and provide an update to the superintendent's meeting and to the committee. Committee members expressed willingness to participate in coordinated outreach on behalf of the district if a draft letter or collection mechanism is prepared.