Tunkhannock board OKs one‑time $2,000 incentive for students to return from cyber charters
Summary
After extended debate, the Tunkhannock Area School District board approved a one‑time $2,000 per returning student incentive aimed at encouraging currently enrolled cyber‑charter students to come back to district instruction or the district cyber program; the board set caveats and asked for an implementation update in November.
The Tunkhannock Area School District Board of Directors voted to offer a one‑time $2,000 grant to each current cyber‑charter student who elects to return to in‑person instruction or enroll in the district’s cyber program, Fusion C3.
The board approved the program after more than an hour of discussion that focused on the district’s rising cyber‑charter costs, potential savings, implementation details and community reaction. Board President Holly Arnold framed the plan as temporary and targeted: “this is a 1 year offer this time,” she said during discussion.
Nut graf: The board said the incentive is an attempt to reduce the district’s annual cyber‑charter spending, which administrators said is far higher per pupil than in‑district instruction, and to press state lawmakers for broader cyber‑charter funding reform. Superintendent Doherty told the board the district currently pays roughly $18,500 for a general education cyber student and about $41,000 for a special‑education cyber student; the district budgets about $3.2 million annually for cyber charters.
Board members discussed mechanics and safeguards. The board set caveats including a residency/eligibility period and installment payments: administrators said the intended payment structure is $500 per quarter, with the full $2,000 available only to students who remain enrolled with the district for the full year. Arnold and other members emphasized the program could be modified or ended if the district sees unintended consequences or if state legislation resolves the larger funding issues.
Supporters described the plan as a fiscally pragmatic workaround. A board member cited a similarly small district that reported saving about $50,000 after bringing a handful of students back. Opponents and cautious members warned the program could be perceived as unfair by families already enrolled in district schools; one board member said, “it's kind of like a kick in the face to a normal person that sends their kids to the public school.” Several members said they want public feedback before implementation but voted to approve the program and to request an update at the November meeting.
Administrators said the grant is low‑risk financially because, if a returning student stays for the full year, the district will still realize a net savings compared with continuing to pay a cyber‑charter tuition. The board instructed staff to prepare outreach letters and track responses; members said they will monitor take‑up and pause or end the program if it fails to produce anticipated savings or causes community harm.
Ending: The board approved the program by roll call (majority yes, some no votes and one abstention on related personnel matters earlier in the meeting). Members asked for a November update on implementation and outcomes and repeated calls for state action on cyber‑charter funding.
