Pennsylvania School Boards Association files Right-to-Know requests on charter school spending
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association today said it has filed Right-to-Know requests with charter and cyber charter school operators asking for financial information about their schools.
The requested items include advertising costs, contracts with private management companies, advanced academic courses offered, salary and compensation information for all 180 brick and mortar and cyber charter schools in the state.
The Right-to-Know requests also ask for documents related to leases and real estate and donation information from foundations or educational improvement organizations.
Nathan Mains, PSBA executive director, said the information being sought will help his association and the school districts it represents to better understand how charter schools operate and to provide transparency to taxpayers on charter school spending.
"For years charter proponents have criticized public schools claiming they don't understand how charter operators work or the costs and benefits of charters," Mr. Mains said in a press release
Another purpose to filing the Right-to-Know requests is for the PSBA "to make sure public funds are being spent in the best interest of Pennsylvania children," Mr. Mains said.
Tuition for charter school students comes from the coffers of their home public school districts. The PSBA release said last year nearly $1.3 billion was paid in charter school tuition.
The Right-to-Know law allows five days for entities to respond to a request by either providing the information, invoking a 30-day extension or denying the request.
The PSBA will track receipt or denial of the requested information on its website.Pennsylvania School Boards Association files Right-to-Know requests on charter school spending | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
