SMETHPORT — Smethport Area School District officials expressed their serious concern Tuesday about the budgetary impact of the substantial amount of funding loss caused by students attending cyber charter schools.
In a case of “funding following the student,” the student’s home district is required to pay the charter school the full cost of tuition, causing financial problems for the districts that must adjust their spending plans.
During a discussion that was initiated by school director Dan Wertz, it was noted that the district has just been notified of another increase in cyber school tuition, one for approximately $50,000, and this is for the current school year.
At the school board’s March meeting, Wertz mentioned his concern about the lost revenue the district must cover due to cyber charter schools, when he said, “In a recent year, cyber school tuition cost us more than $364,000. Cyber school funding needs reform at the state level.”
Referring to the cyber charter school rates, business manager Sue Jordan said she is attempting to find the source of the charter schools’ increased rates.
If a district doesn’t pay these cyber school rates, then that amount of funding is deducted from the district’s Pennsylvania Department of Education subsidy.
District Superintendent David London pointed to the discrepancy in amounts districts are charged for cyber school tuition. “If Smethport is charged $12,000 per student, that rate in a neighboring district could be $15,000.”
London also questioned the cyber schools’ accountability.
Earlier this year, the school directors joined other districts in opposing Senate Bill 2, which would allow some parents to use state tax funds to send their children to private or religious school. Opponents say this bill, which renames tuition vouchers “educational savings accounts,” could drain some $500 million in state funding for public schools.
In personnel matters, the board accepted the resignation of music teacher Sarah Koist, effective June 2. “We thank her for her two years as high school band director and elementary music teacher and wish her well in graduate school,” London said.
Amy Cunningham and Faron Meyer were hired as full-time custodians. Jacey Duzick-Forness was approved as the extended school year teacher from July 2 to July 26 at a per diem rate.
Directors also OKd an agreement through Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit 9 with Sweet, Stevens, Katz and Williams LLP for technology pool counsel services for the 2018-19 fiscal year in the amount of $430, a cost that could vary slightly based on the number of participating districts. London said, “This law firm will provide us with high quality legal advice on day-to-day technical questions.”
Following board approval, which London said is required, the district will sell a variety of items slated to be discarded in anticipation of the upcoming renovation project. Among them will be old textbooks and football jerseys. Students will have the first opportunity for the jerseys.
Also gaining the nod were agreements with CARE for Children for physical and occupational therapy services and another one with Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems that sets the tuition rates for 2017-18. Neither one carries a rate increase.
A Memorandum of Understanding was approved with the Guidance Center to provide Student Assistance Program and School-Based Mental Health services to the district for April 1, 2018 to July 1, 2019.
