Dear Families,

Recently there have been several articles printed in the Washington (PA) Observer-Reporter newspaper regarding cyber education.  While the reporter attempted to look at various points of view in the articles, they published many of the same mistruths about our public cyber schools.  

Again, public cyber schools are being used as scapegoats for tax increases and fiscal problems in traditional schools. Opponents of cyber education have gone so far as to say their “reimbursement is more like 5 percent.”
 
Thelma Szarell, West Greene School District superintendent went on to say, "Why should it cost us so much when (cyber schools) don't have the same requirements as we do?"  The state’s cyber school law, which was supported by legislators from both sides of the political aisle, requires public cyber schools to meet all of the same standards and requirements.  In fact, our schools have MORE demands — not just for reporting to the state,  but also to US as parents and taxpayers. If we choose not to attend these public schools, they close. That’s accountability.   If West Greene – or any other school district — is failing its students, nothing happens.

 
This blatant distortion of cyber school law needs to have a response from our families. It is imperative to write this newspaper to set the record straight. We must continue to    correct these mistruths about our schools. School districts save money on cyber students. In fact, your children only get 80 percent of the taxes you pay for public education! If you need help with some of the information, please download our mythbusters fact sheet:

http://www.pacyberfamilies.org/uploads/Cyber%20School%20Myth%20Busters.pdf

If you live in the circulation area of this newspaper you can send your letter to the editor by using this link: http://app.formassembly.com/forms/view/6008 

Please keep your letters to 250 words.  Also make sure you include your first and last name along with your address and phone number.  The newspaper needs this information for their verification process. 
 
I have included the editorial and the links to the other stories.  We need to continue educating the media and the legislators about our schools.  Let's keep up the good work!
 
 
Keep moving forward!
 
Cindy Strausburger

President

 
Cyber school pay days

Several articles in this newspaper in the past week have explored cyber schools and the problems of who should pay for them and how much.

In the first article, on Dec. 30, public school administrators complained that they are required to pay cyber schools the average cost of educating a student in their district; that this was creating a financial hardship on the schools; and that cyber schools were unfairly profiting from this amount because those schools have no buildings to maintain or buses to run. West Greene handed over $106,000 in 2006-07 to cyber schools to educate 35 students.
 
The next day's article voiced the concerns of cyber school administrators that some districts don't pay them at all, and that others withhold 50 percent to help pay for buildings and transportation, and that the state reimburses the districts at 30 percent.
 
West Greene contends, however, that its reimbursement is more like 5 percent.
 
Although public school districts in this state must provide transportation to all students, regardless of school, they are not required to pay for the education of students in parochial or private schools or those who are home-schooled. Why then must they pay for those attending cyber schools?
 
It is because cyber schools have been classified as "public." But unless a child is physically or mentally unable to attend a public school, isn't cyber school a matter of parental preference?

The formula for payment may not be the only thing unfair here.
 

Administrators say unequal payments, reimbursement for online students unfair

http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Story/12-30-cyber-school-

 
Cyber school representatives, supporters respond

http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Story/12-31-cyber-schools-give-their-side
 
For some, enrolling a child in cyber school is the best option

http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Story/01-03-parents-talk-cyber-schools