Dear Parents,

For nearly four years, our families have been proud to be members of PA Families for Public Cyber Schools.  The coalition has worked hand in hand with our cyber schools, serving a voice for parents in the halls of the state capital. In May, their annual Day on the Hill was attended by more than 2,500 people.  It is a true testament to the support public cybers have – and how far they have come.

Unfortunately, the cyber school our children attend – the second largest in Pennsylvania – is under an imminent threat, but this time it isn’t from state funding cuts.  The Agora Cyber Charter School Board of Trustees (BOT) has been ordered by the PA Department of Education (PDE) to take immediate steps in order to begin a new chapter for the school or risk having its charter revoked.  

We have always maintained that our schools should be operated properly and for the sole benefit of its students.  The steps proposed by PDE would accomplish this goal.  (For more information, please see the article below.)  However, if the steps aren’t met PDE has threatened to revoke Agora’s charter. 

As parents of children who love our school, we have asked – and this coalition is agreed – to help us form an Agora Cyber Charter School Task Force designed to rally support for this school, its students and families.

The task force will have two primary goals:

Urge the Agora Board of Trustees to act immediately and comply with PDE.

If Agora’s charter is revoked, to call on the PDE to keep Agora open and install the appropriate leadership needed to ensure a smooth transition.

The taskforce will provide parents with simple directions on how they can help protect Agora, and in doing so maintain the strength of our system.  We simply cannot sit by and let the second largest cyber school in the state close its doors.  That will hurt all of our schools!

Even if your children do not attend Agora, I hope you will join us.  If something like this ever happens again to another cyber school, I know we and other Agora parents will step forward and return the favor.

By joining the taskforce, you will be playing a vital role in protecting all cyber schools.  A strong, unified parent voice will make it clear that all public cyber schools are important to cyber families.

If you would like to join the Agora Charter School Task Force, please email us at:  HelpSaveAgora@yahoo.com. 

Stay tuned for future updates.

Thank you!

Signed,

Susanne M. Foote

Phylis Hughes

Angelique Petersen