CURMUDGUCATION: PA: More Charter Shenanigans in Harrisburg

CURMUDGUCATION: PA: More Charter Shenanigans in Harrisburg

PA: More Charter Shenanigans in Harrisburg

On May 7, a group of four bills related to charter schools suddenly popped up, referred to the House education committee in the state capitol. Surprise! Let's take a look:

HB 355: 

This bill is supposed to strengthen the "ethical requirements" for charter schools (including cybers). It sets requirements for annual independent financial audits and puts limits on how much money charters can hold in unassigned fund balances (just parked in the bank); public schools also have a limit on fund balances. And there are new requirements for some financial transparency between the charter and the local district.

There are also some advertising limits. For instance, charters can no longer advertise themselves as "free" but must acknowledge that they are paid with taxpayer dollars. There is some language tightening rules  on self-dealing and nepotism and financial disclosures for charter bosses.

Other than a section that deliberately blurs the line between public and charter schools, this is a pretty good bill.

HB 356:

This bill focuses on facilities. It gives charters the right of first refusal for purchase or lease of any unused district facilities. It requires public schools to provide testing locations for charters. And  charters can use religious facilities if they keep the religious stuff covered up or out of sight.

It also allows charters to expand to multiple locations within the authorizing district-- this used to CONTINUE READING: CURMUDGUCATION: PA: More Charter Shenanigans in Harrisburg