Day on the Hill 2009
Students, parents and employees of Pennsylvania’s cyber charter schools can make their voices heard in Harrisburg by participating in the third annual Day on the Hill Rally on Tuesday, May 12.
Cyber schools in Pennsylvania once again have been singled out for funding cuts and other restrictions under state education budget changes proposed by Gov. Rendell and also in proposed legislation (HB 940).
“In Harrisburg our state policymakers often hear from groups eager to protect their interests. Too often the views of parents and children who are directly affected fail to be heard,” said Cindy Strausburger, president of Pennsylvania Families for Public Cyber Schools (PFPCS).
The rally is sponsored by PFPCS and co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter Schools.
Among those expected to speak at the rally (if schedules permit) are two longtime supporters of school choice, State Sen. Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15) and State Sen. Andrew E. Dinniman (D-19), chairman and minority chairman, respectively, of the Senate Education Committee.
“I’ve been pleased to lead the charge on many initiatives including drafting the legislation that established cyber charter schools,” said Sen. Piccola. “Cyber charter schools are leading the way for parents and families who want choices for educating their children, and I will continue advocating on their behalf.”
Sen. Dinniman said, “Cyber schools are a fantastic way to meet the needs of individual students with diverse learning styles. I have seen firsthand how cyber school students have blossomed from receiving an education that is both cost-effective and innovative. It is important that we continue to support the success of our cyber schools and ensure that students and teachers can utilize this emerging technology as a valuable educational tool for generations to come.”
Come to Day on the Hill 2009
Activities on May 12 begin with registration at 10 a.m. in the main Capitol rotunda and culminate in a rally and press conference there at 2 p.m. The rally and all associated exhibits will be inside this year, according to Jenny Bradmon, founder and executive director of the parent organization.
Here’s what families can do.
- Pre-register for the rally at www.pacyberfamilies.org or www.pachartercoalition.com.
- Call or email your state senator and representative to set up a personal meeting on that day. If you are not sure how to contact your legislator, use this link: http//www.legis.state.pa.us/; at upper right, type in your zip code and it will bring up your legislators’ information.
- Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes. (Many cyber schools will provide brightly colored T-shirts.) You will have to pass though security, so keep carried items to a minimum and avoid taking or wearing metal objects.
- Register after 10 a.m. inside the Capitol and pick up information packets. Use the time before the 2 p.m. rally to visit legislators’ offices, learn about issues, meet other cyber families, and tour exhibits and demonstrations set up by the cyber schools.
Legislation targets cyber schools
“There is no rational or fair reason why public cyber schools, which already get far less funding than traditional public schools, should be singled out for a funding cut,” said Bradmon, who became a parent activist in order to save the cyber school her two daughters attend.
The Rendell Administration has proposed a single statewide tuition rate for cyber schools. However, schools paying less than that rate would not pay more.
Because 349 of the 501 districts currently pay less than the proposed statewide tuition rate, this formula would provide no financial relief for poorer school districts, would give a financial windfall to rich districts, and would cut funding 10 percent or more to cyber schools – at a time when other public schools are getting funding increases.
The Rendell plan, as outlined by Secretary of Education Gerald L. Zahorchak, also would impose a two-tier statewide tuition rate for special education and impose fund balance restrictions on cybers and brick-and-mortar charter schools.
House Bill 940, introduced by Rep. Karen Beyer, would allow the state to cap cyber school enrollments, restrict tuition payments to cybers for age 4 kindergarten and full-day age 5 kindergarten to only those school districts that already offer those programs, and make it more difficult for cyber school teachers to advance professionally.
“Saving my daughters’ school is the reason I became involved,” said Bradmon. As the voice of cyber parents and 20,000 cyber students statewide, Jenny has spoken hundreds of times over the past three years to news reporters, legislators, government officials and the public.
Cindy Strausburger stepped up as president of PFPCS in November 2008, and Jenny Bradmon took the new title of executive director. The non-profit group is governed by a five-member board. All who serve are volunteers. •