Cyber charter school money management under scrutiny

(The Center Square) – Cyber charter schools collect millions from taxpayers across the state, though academic achievement lags districts by wide margins.

Portions of that money pay for buildings, renovations, and – according to an auditor general report released last year – staff bonuses, gift cards, car payments, and fuel stipends. Meanwhile, the percentage of students scoring at grade level for math and reading hovers in the single digits.

Dr. Christopher Shaffer, superintendent of Abington Heights School District in Lackawanna County, told the House Democratic Policy Committee on Tuesday that it’s not a matter of squashing school choice. Rather, it’s about accountability for education provided.

“Cost alone is not the right place to start, and I feel as though we’ve lost that over the years,” he said.

School districts pay cyber charter schools a “tuition” rate for each student who is enrolled from their attendance zone. The number varies depending on property taxes and state support and can sometime...