Dear Families,
 
Just when it seemed like we were beginning to dispel the misconceptions regarding cyber schools, another newspaper article shows how much more work we have to do.  In a recent Reading Eagle article, the reporter and school officials continually refer to our public cyber schools as “private” schools.

As we all know, our schools are PUBLIC schools. Public cyber schools are run by independent non-profit boards. Our schools are held to the same accountability as any other public school. Plus they have to meet our standards as well.

One of the most outrageous quotes was from one school official who stated, “I see no reason taxpayers need to pay for private cyber schools when we have something that is just as good. If we could recoup the funds we spend to send kids to private cyber schools, we wouldn't have to raise taxes for two years."

It is statements like these that we need to respond to with facts!  Our schools only receive 80% of what the sending district spends and then the districts receive a reimbursement of approximately 30%.  

Our schools are able to educate our children more effectively and save districts money in the process. Not all cybers are the same, but all are equally important to the parents who place their trust in those schools.
 
Public school district officials always seem to forget one important fact: The funding they receive isn't their money. It's our money, and as parents, Pennsylvania's cyber school law rightly allows us to decide how it should be spent.
 
If you live in the area of the Reading Eagle please write a letter in response. Tell them our schools are public schools! Share your story of how public cyber schools are helping your children.
 
You can send your letters to letters@readingeagle.com Please keep your letters to less than 200 words. Also make sure to include your name, address and contact information for their verification purposes. Let’s have the Reading Eagle hear from parents who love their public cyber schools.
 
 
Keep moving forward!
 
Cindy Strausburger
President

Some Berks districts bringing public schools home

Five local districts offer online programs to take on competitors that are costing them money.

By Ron Devlin
Reading Eagle

It's the first day of school and 11-year-old Isaac Fidler is in health class.

Thing is, instead of being in a classroom with 20 other kids at Bethel Elementary School, Isaac is at home tapping away at a laptop in the family room.

Isaac's enrolled in blendedschools.net, commonly referred to as Blended Schools, the Tulpehocken School District's new online school.

To read the rest of the article click here