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Statewide charter board hears rapid growth, cost-savings from Horizon digital consortium
Summary
Board staff reported growth in the Horizon digitally enhanced campus consortium to 380 member districts and presented year-to-date savings to districts that exceed the agency's supplemental funding request.
The Statewide Virtual Charter School Board heard an update on the Horizon digitally enhanced campus program on Sept. 15, during which agency staff reported rapid membership growth and said the consortium already produces net savings to districts that exceed the board's proposed supplemental budget request.
Agency presenter Dr. Daniels told the board the Horizon Consortium had grown from 35 members in 2022 to 380 members in 2025 and said student participation and course offerings have climbed sharply. "In 2022, we had our very first consortium with 35 members. Then we went to 68. Then we went to 95... and today, we're at 380," Dr. Daniels said.
Board members were shown enrollment and fiscal data that the agency said demonstrate the program's scale and cost effect. The agency reported 33,514 students served year-to-date through Horizon platform courses and third‑party vendors, up from roughly 7,211 at launch. The agency also said it now lists 58 available Horizon courses, including 26 advanced-placement or pre-AP courses and 32 non‑AP secondary offerings.
Dr. Daniels presented a comparison of district costs if they had purchased third‑party courses directly versus buying through the Horizon consortium. The board was told that, in the most recent fiscal year, districts would have paid roughly $5.9 million at standard third‑party pricing but paid $2.2 million through Horizon; last year the agency estimated $4.9 million versus $1.9 million. "Because of the discounts that we're able to provide them through Horizon... the savings already this year are $3,691,000," Dr. Daniels said, adding that the board's requested appropriation of about $3.4 million is less than the savings reported to date.
Board members asked about the timetable for a supplemental request to restore funding cut from the Horizon budget. Staff said legislative contacts indicated a supplemental could be moved quickly in the Senate and that the agency expects to request supplemental funding this fall.
Dr. Daniels also outlined program staffing and quality-control practices: the agency highlighted a cohort of experienced AP teachers who develop and teach Horizon AP courses and noted collaborations with College Board staff for syllabus approval and statewide presentations.
The board discussed future Horizon activities, including monthly short training webinars and a proposed one-day Horizon Connect conference March 25, 2026, and a larger charter school conference in November 2026 at the Norman Embassy Suites. Dr. Daniels said the agency will continue recruiting districts and seek sponsors to offset conference costs.
The presentation and the board's questions focused on scale, quality assurance for online instruction, savings to districts and the timing and necessity of a supplemental budget request. The board did not take a formal vote on Horizon funding at this meeting.
Board staff said they will return with more detailed budget materials if the board places a supplemental request on a future agenda.
