Tuesday, March 10, 2020

PA Ed Policy Roundup for March 10, 2020 Cyber charter schools receive the same public funding per student as do brick-and-mortar schools


Started in November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors, administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, Wolf education transition team members, superintendents, school solicitors, principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations, education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

These daily emails are archived and searchable at http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org
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PA Ed Policy Roundup for March 10, 2020


PSBA Webinar: Prepare for Advocacy Day – A discussion on charter reform, PlanCon; school funding
MAR 11, 2020 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM



Webinar: Rising Mandated Costs for School Districts
PASchoolsWork Lunch & Learn Webinar Tuesday, March 10th 12:00 – 12:30 p.m.
Mandated costs are rising for school districts across PA. Join us next Tuesday at Noon to learn more about what exactly these costs are and what their impact is on school districts. Register for our Lunch & Learn webinar here:


“The case, filed by the Education Law Center and the Public Interest Law Center, is moving forward in Commonwealth Court. A trial is tentatively scheduled for the fall. A favorable verdict could force Pennsylvania’s elected officials to finally commit to work toward a goal of fully funding schools across the commonwealth. The governor and Legislature don’t need to wait for the ruling to come down. It is our government, and we need to demand that all of our elected officials finally commit to a series of significant annual increases in funding for our schools.”
Gerald Zahorchak | Pa. needs to close gap in education funding
Johnstown Tribune Democrat Opinion By Gerald Zahorchak March 10, 2020
Gerald Zahorchak, former secretary of education for the Pennsylvania Department of Education, is the Education Division Chair at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
 “It’s no secret that the Greater Johnstown School District isn’t as prosperous as those around it.” That was the opening of a Feb. 18 Tribune-Democrat article on a new study on schools and economic segregation. This certainly wasn’t a secret to me. I was born and reared in Johnstown, graduated from Johnstown High, served as superintendent of Greater Johnstown and as secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education.  I love this region, and I vigorously advocate to improve the educational status of all of those who live here. All means all without exceptions. The article told us that Johnstown’s school district was named in a grim EdBuild report as having among the 50 most “economically segregated” school district borders in the country. That study is called “Fault Lines: American’s Most Segregating School District Borders.”  Greater Johnstown borders on three much more affluent districts: Conemaugh Township Area, Westmont Hilltop and Richland. These three excellent districts have student true poverty rates of 11% or less, compared to 42% in Johnstown, and far fewer students of color. The median family income in Johnstown is $28,614, less than half of Westmont Hilltop’s $66,520. The EdBuild report points out that school district borders like these “sort students into districts of haves and have-nots, with resources to match.”

 “It’s a common problem for districts like Sto-Rox that have a declining tax base and a limited budget. Compounding the financial woes are required payments to charter schools for students who opt for available education outside the public school district. Elementary Principal Heather Johnston said that charter school bills are hitting the district particularly hard this year. The district already faces a $3.7 million budget deficit for the 2019-2020 school year.”
Community responds: Sto-Rox schools needed paper; donations poured in
The situation served as a stark reminder of the many financial challenges poorer school districts must overcome
THE EDITORIAL BOARD Pittsburgh Post-Gazette MAR 9, 2020 6:00 AM
A public school district that couldn’t afford to buy copier paper.
That was the dilemma facing the Sto-Rox district when a school counselor sent out a plea for help on social media. The overwhelming response was yet another example of the generosity of Western Pennsylvanians when it comes to helping a neighbor in need. And while the support from the community was heartwarming, the circumstances that led to the desperate situation serve as stark reminder of the many financial challenges poorer school districts must overcome. Sto-Rox, a district in which nearly a quarter of residents live below the federal poverty level, had no money left in the budget for paper with more than three months remaining in the school year. Copier paper is a necessary part of the curriculum because, as counselor Katie Couch pointed out, “We have to resort to using paper because we don’t have computers for everyone.”

“We have been waving the flag on charters for what feels like a decade,” Superintendent Amy Stewart said. “The legislators… I think they’re starting to hear it.” When a handful of students leaves a Warren County School District cohort, “this district has no net savings,” Stewart said. The classes those students would have attended still must be held. The buses still have to run. But the district has to pay thousands of dollars per student to the charter schools — brick and mortar schools like Tidioute Community Charter School and cyber-charter schools — they attend. Previous budget projections showed estimated charter school payments of more than $5 million out of the district’s expenditures of more than $80 million — about 6 percent of the budget.”
Charters and more discussed at Warren County SD
Warren Times Observer by BRIAN FERRY Staff Reporter bferry@timesobserver.com MAR 10, 2020
Payments to charter schools is a major issue for school districts in Pennsylvania and Warren County School District in on board with proposed changes. The school board unanimously approved a resolution calling for charter school funding reform at Monday night’s meeting. Charter schools receive the bulk of their funding from the districts their students reside in, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. According to the resolution, because of funding rules that have not changed in 23 years, in many cases, districts are sending more dollars to charter schools than “is needed to operate their programs.” That “places a significant financial burden on districts’ resources and taxpayers.” The resolution states that the formulas particular to special education funding were revised in 2014 “to more accurately target special education resources,” but those revisions were not applied to charter schools.” In a Thursday release, Gov. Tom Wolf said more than 100 districts had signed on to his reform proposals.

“Spicka says the $8 million spent on advertising could have hired 80 or more teachers in under-resourced classrooms or hundreds of teachers’ aides. Spicka wants to see the law changed to require that all charter school advertising state that it was paid for with taxpayer dollars and to require charters and school districts to post those expenses online for the public to see. “I think most Pennsylvanians would be really surprised to learn that cyber charter schools are using the property tax dollars they get to fund protected trade secrets of these high-priced lobbying and advertising firms,” she states.”
Education Advocates Say Cyber Charters Spend Millions on Ads
Bctv.org by Andrea Sears, Keystone State News Connection Mar 10, 2020
Cyber charter schools receive the same public funding per student as do brick-and-mortar schools
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Cyber charter schools appear to be spending millions of dollars in taxpayer money on advertising, but at least one refuses to show the details. Commonwealth Charter Academy is one of the biggest cyber charters in the state and recruits students through extensive and expensive advertising. But the school responded to a Right to Know request by claiming details about those expenses are “protected trade secrets” and turned over documents that were heavily redacted. According to Susan Spicka, executive director of Education Voters of Pennsylvania, those documents still revealed some disturbing numbers. “The cyber charter school is spending, on average, probably $7 million to $8 million a year on contracts with lobbying and public relations firms and on services,” she points out. Spicka says state law needs to be changed to require transparency in the way charters spend nearly $2 billion of taxpayer money every year.

PA Dept. of Health Coronavirus PA COVID-19 Update – March 9, 2020

Montco schools to close for cleaning after potential coronavirus exposures
KYW STAFF MARCH 09, 2020 - 3:31 PM UPDATED: 6:45 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As a precaution, two Montgomery County school districts will close for cleaning and sanitizing after reports of potential coronavirus exposures. Lower Merion School District officials say two students and a staff member may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus during visits to CHOP in King of Prussia, where a cardiologist tested presumptive positive for coronavirus on Monday. Health officials reassured the public that they are not showing symptoms of COVID-19, nor do they pose a risk of transmission. The students and staff member are also currently quarantined. But out of an “abundance of caution,” the district will close all schools on Tuesday for additional cleaning and sanitizing. “Special attention will be given to public spaces and high-touch surfaces, such as keyboards, railings, door handles, etc.,” read an email sent to parents and staff. As of Monday, there are now five presumptive positive cases in Montgomery County, bringing the statewide total to seven. Shortly after LMSD’s announcement, the Cheltenham School District said it would close schools from Tuesday through Friday, after it learned that a district parent was the caregiver to a patient with a presumptive positive COVID-19 case. The parent self-quarantined herself and her child. As a precaution, all seven of Cheltenham’s schools, plus its administration building, will close for deep-cleaning this week to reduce possible exposure. In addition, all field trips have been canceled until students return from spring break on April 13. The four days will be considered snow days and will not count against the mandated 180 student days. The Hatboro-Horsham School District said it will close Simmons Elementary School on Tuesday for cleaning, after a student visited the same CHOP where the cardiologist tested positive. The student in question has not tested positive and is not exhibiting symptoms. State health officials say the child poses a low risk of transmission. The Hatboro-Horsham School District said it is not necessary to close its other schools at this time. Both the Norristown Area and Upper Merion Area school districts, however, will close all of its schools on Tuesday for a similar precaution. In Bucks County, Neshaminy High School announced it will be closed Tuesday after a student came in contact with a healthcare provider at the same CHOP. Officials say that student and two family members will quarantine themselves at home.

“The deep technological and wealth gap that exists nationwide between poor and affluent students has made the coronavirus outbreak even more challenging for school officials, who are wrestling with not only health and safety decisions but also questions about the ethics of school closures. These deliberations have been playing out in schools all around the country during the outbreak, from urban districts in New York, Seattle and Los Angeles to rural ones in Nebraska and Pennsylvania. “If we shut down for a week or two weeks, and some of the kids can do it but some can’t, what do you do?” said Edward Albert, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools. “There are some places that don’t even have phone service.”
Schools wrestle with fairness of closures during outbreak
Post-Gazette by MICHELLE R. SMITH AND COLLIN BINKLEY The Associated Press MAR 9, 2020 7:17 PM
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — When the new coronavirus surfaced at Saint Raphael Academy after a school group returned from a trip to Italy, officials decided to close the Rhode Island Catholic high school for two weeks. Instead of cancelling classes, the school in Pawtucket instituted “virtual days” where students are expected to work from home, check for assignments through an online portal and occasionally chat with teachers. A few miles away, a public charter school also closed after a teacher who attended the same Italy trip awaited test results. But at Achievement First, the two days off were treated like snow days — no special assignments and no expectation that kids keep up their schoolwork. As more schools across the U.S. close their doors because of the coronavirus, they are confronted with a dilemma in weighing whether to shut down and move classes online — which could leave behind the many students who don’t have computers, home internet access or parents with flexible work schedules. As the closures accelerate, children at some schools, like Saint Raphael, will be able to continue some form of learning, while children at schools with fewer technological or other resources may simply miss out.

Pa. has 10 coronavirus cases, three hospitalized, state officials say
PA Capital Star By  Cassie MillerElizabeth Hardison March 9, 2020
State health officials have confirmed 10 cases of coronavirus across Pennsylvania as of Monday afternoon, including three cases that have required patients to receive care in hospitals.  The state is waiting on the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Ga., to confirm the test results, state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said during a late afternoon press conference on Monday.  The cases are so far concentrated in the eastern part of the state. Seven patients reside in suburban Montgomery County; the others live in Monroe, Delaware and Wayne Counties.  State officials announced Monday morning that one Montgomery County patient was in critical condition at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.  Citing patient confidentiality concerns, Levine said the state would not reveal the treatment locations of the other hospitalized patients, who come from Montgomery and Monroe Counties. 

Schools hamstrung over feeding students as coronavirus leads to closures
USDA can make some exceptions to its meals programs but most districts will have to fend for themselves on how to feed poor students.
Politico By LIZ CRAMPTON 03/10/2020 04:30 AM EDT
There is no Meals on Wheels system for delivering food door-to-door to low-income students.
School officials are growing increasingly anxious over how to keep feeding the nearly 22 million students who depend on subsidized breakfasts and lunches served at schools in the event facilities shut down to curb the spread of coronavirus. Schools in Washington state, California and New York have temporarily closed their doors amid local outbreaks, and officials warn that more are likely to follow as the governments grapple with how to contain the virus. Districts where an especially huge swath of students live in poverty, including Los Angeles and New York City, are holding off on closing in part because of concern about how to keep kids fed. But in the interest of public safety, they may not have a choice but to shut down. "Schools should be thinking about what they're going to do if they're going to close and how they're going to ensure that their students nutritional needs are going to be met," said Crystal FitzSimons, director of School and Out-of-School Time Programs at the Food Research and Action Center, a nonprofit organization tackling hunger issues.

National anti-hunger campaign names Philly student a ‘Breakfast Hero’
The Paul Robeson High 10th grader was recognized for launching a new student-led program through Rebel Ventures, a nonprofit food business.
The notebook by Lynn Oseguera March 9 — 9:34 am, 2020
Kennysha Stanley, a 10th grader at Paul Robeson High School in West Philadelphia, was in her fourth-period art class last week when the school principal, Richard Gordon, came into the classroom and said he needed to talk with her.  “He says to come to the center of the classroom, and all these people started coming in with cameras and balloons,” she said. “I saw he had a certificate in his hand, and he awarded me with the Breakfast Hero Award.”  Each year, the national anti-hunger campaign No Kid Hungry seeks nominations of people in the community who go above and beyond to support school breakfast programs. This year’s Pennsylvania awardees include educators, administrators, service staff, and one exceptional student: Kennysha Stanley. Stanley, 15, is a program coordinator at Rebel Ventures, a local nonprofit food business run by high school students with guidance from community mentors. Their main product is the Rebel Crumble, a nutritious breakfast bar, which is distributed in every Philadelphia District school and multiple charter schools and is sold at some local grocery stores.  Stanley is passionate about Rebel’s mission. “We thought about the kids that were coming from food-insecure homes,” she said. “As a child coming into school hungry, the Rebel Crumble can serve as a full meal to fuel them through the day.” 

A Pennsylvania lawmaker spent $1,623 on breakfast with Eagle Scouts, then tried to keep it secret
By PAUL MUSCHICK THE MORNING CALL | MAR 09, 2020 | 8:00 AM
It’s not often that the Pennsylvania Legislature caves to public pressure, but it caved big time last week. News outlets Spotlight PA and The Caucus shamed lawmakers for refusing to disclose how they spent some of the $360 million in taxpayer money they get annually. They reported how the House and Senate blacked out details of some expense reports to hide who members met with and why. Among the expenses they initially concealed were the guests that House Speaker Mike Turzai hosted at two breakfast meetings that cost $1,623. The guests were Eagle Scouts. Legislative lawyers initially withheld that information by citing “legislative privilege,” a right they contend is bestowed on them by a clause in the state Constitution that allows them to speak and debate without retribution. What kind of retribution could there be from meeting with Eagle Scouts? Perhaps taxpayer outrage over the cost? By trying to hide that information, that’s exactly what the Legislature caused. Even some senators and representatives were irked. Thursday, the House reconsidered and said it would release more details of the spending. “We are open and transparent about our expenditures, all in support of the Speaker’s responsibilities and legislative agenda,” Turzai, R-Allegheny, said on Twitter. The Senate still is being stubborn. It should release more details of its expenses, too.

PSBA recognizes 2019 Allwein Society inductees
POSTED ON MARCH 9, 2020 IN PSBA NEWS
The Allwein Society is a recognition program honoring school directors who are outstanding leaders and advocates on behalf of public schools and students. This prestigious honor was created in 2011 in memory of Timothy M. Allwein, a former PSBA staff member who exemplified the integrity, dedication and commitment to advance political action for the benefit of public education. Originally called the Allwein Award, the name was changed to Allwein Society in 2018 to reflect the ongoing nature of advocacy work. Nominations for this accolade are accepted year-round with selections announced in early fall. If you know a school board member who embodies the qualities of Timothy Allwein, submit your nominations here. Members who are selected will be recognized before their local school board at a public meeting, and at the PASA/PSBA Annual Conference.
The 2019 Allwein Society inductees include:
  • Jill Dennin, Boyertown Area School District
  • Mike Faccinetto, Bethlehem Area School District
  • Joyce Wilkerson, the School District of Philadelphia
  • Kathy Swope, Lewisburg Area School District

In a Plan to Bring Yoga to Alabama Schools, Stretching Is Allowed. ‘Namaste’ Isn’t.
State legislators are considering lifting part of a 1993 law forbidding yoga from public schools. Critics say it is an inherently religious, and “non-Christian,” practice.
New York Times By Rick Rojas Published March 9, 2020Updated March 10, 2020, 12:27 a.m. ET
ATLANTA — Across Alabama, yoga is freely taught at dozens of studios, in Christian churches and inside prisons. But for nearly three decades, it has been illegal to teach yoga — a combination of breathing exercises and stretches with connections to Hinduism and Buddhism — inside the state’s public school classrooms, with detractors warning it would amount to a tacit endorsement of a “non-Christian” belief. That could soon change if lawmakers have their way. One proposal, scheduled for debate in the State House on Tuesday, would allow teachers to guide students during school hours through various stretches. The legislation would permit students to stretch themselves into Child’s Pose or Downward Facing Dog, among other moves. Still off-limits, though: chants, mantras and “Namaste,” which essentially means “I bow to you.”

EdVotersPA: Take action now to support charter school reform in PA!
Education Voters PA Published by EDVOPA on February 25, 2020
We have helped build a movement to fix Pennsylvania’s worst charter school law in the nation in every corner of the commonwealth. Now it is time to take this movement to Harrisburg! Please click HERE and sign a letter to your state representative and senator calling on them to support charter school reform. Ed Voters’ volunteers will hand deliver each constituent letter to state lawmakers’ offices in mid-March. Make sure yours is included! We will need to deliver thousands of letters to send a strong message that Pennsylvanians expect lawmakers to take action this legislative session.

PSBA Board Presidents Panel April 27 & 28; Multiple Locations
Offered at 10 locations across the state, this annual event supports current and aspiring school board leaders through roundtable conversations with colleagues as well as a facilitated panel of experienced regional and statewide board presidents and superintendents. Board Presidents Panel is designed to equip new and veteran board presidents and vice presidents as well as superintendents and other school directors who may pursue a leadership position in the future.

PSBA: Coronavirus Preparedness Guidance
In the last few weeks, the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the respiratory illness COVID-19, has become a topic of concern nationwide. Although the virus is not widespread in Pennsylvania at this time, that status could change. Being proactive is key to prevention and mitigation. Below, you will find a list of resources on all aspects of preparedness, including guidance on communication planning, policy, emergency management and disease control. Use these resources to help you make decisions regarding the safety and health of those in your school district.

Bucks County Intermediate Unit: FLU AND CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES
Resources for School Leaders; Bucks County Intermediate Unit Website
This page contains a collection of news articles, health agency resources, and school system templates related to the Flu and Coronavirus.  This page is by no means exhaustive and in no way serves as an endorsement for specific resources.  Instead, it serves as a collection point for school leaders seeking resources and exemplars.  Please contact Dr. Mark Hoffman with any additional documents or links to post!

Blogger note: support Governor Wolf’s proposed charter reforms:
Reprise: PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb 10, 2020
1. Adopt resolution for charter funding reform
2. Ask your legislators to cosponsor HB2261 or SB1024
3. Register for Advocacy Day on March 23rd

Adopt: the 2020 PSBA resolution for charter school funding reform
PSBA Website POSTED ON FEBRUARY 3, 2020 IN PSBA NEWS
In this legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: Adopt the resolution: We’re asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and to PSBA.

Cosponsor: A 120-page charter reform proposal is being introduced as House Bill 2261 by Rep. Joseph Ciresi (D-Montgomery), and Senate Bill 1024, introduced by Senators Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) and James Brewster (D-Allegheny). Ask your legislator to sign on as a cosponsor to House Bill 2261 or Senate Bill 1024.

Register: Five compelling reasons for .@PSBA .@PASA .@PAIU school leaders to come to the Capitol for Advocacy Day on March 23rd:
Charter Reform
Cyber Charter Reform
Basic Ed Funding
Special Ed Funding
PLANCON

Hear relevant content from statewide experts, district practitioners and PSBA government affairs staff at PSBA’s annual membership gathering. PSBA Sectional Advisors and Advocacy Ambassadors are on-site to connect with district leaders in their region and share important information for you to take back to your district.
Locations and dates

Sectional Meetings are 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. (across all locations). Light refreshments will be offered.
Cost: Complimentary for PSBA member entities.
Registration: Registration is now open. To register, please sign into myPSBA and look for Store/Registration on the left.

Allegheny County Legislative Forum on Education March 12
by Allegheny Intermediate Unit Thu, March 12, 2020 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM EDT
Join us on March 12 at 7:00 pm for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit's annual Allegheny County Legislative Forum. The event will feature a discussion with state lawmakers on a variety of issues impacting public schools. We hope you will join us and be part of the conversation about education in Allegheny County.

Event: Transparency in Pennsylvania Cyber Charter Schools
A Free Educational Event Hosted at Capitol Building in Harrisburg, March 16, 2020
CONTACT Holly Lubart EMAIL HollyL@PANewsMedia.org PHONE 717-703-3032
A Free Sunshine Week Educational Event Hosted at Capitol Building in Harrisburg, Pa.
Guest Speaker: Sarah Hofius Hall, Education Reporter, The Times-Tribune
Guest Speaker:  Representative Curt Sonney, Chairman, House Education Committee
Guest Speaker from the Wolf Administration
To register for this event, please complete the form below.

All school leaders are invited to attend Advocacy Day at the state Capitol in Harrisburg. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units (PAIU) and the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) are partnering together to strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center around meetings with legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public education. Click here for more information or register at http://www.mypsba.org/
School directors can register online now by logging in to myPSBA. If you need assistance logging in and registering contact Alysha Newingham, Member Data System Administrator at alysha.newingham@psba.org

Register now for Network for Public Education Action National Conference in Philadelphia March 28-29, 2020
Registration, hotel information, keynote speakers and panels:

NSBA annual conference -- April 4-6, 2020 Chicago
Registration for the 2020 NSBA Annual Conference is now open. The event will be held April 4-6 in Chicago


PSBA Board Presidents Panel April 27, 28 and 29; Multiple Locations
Offered at 10 locations across the state, this annual event supports current and aspiring school board leaders through roundtable conversations with colleagues as well as a facilitated panel of experienced regional and statewide board presidents and superintendents. Board Presidents Panel is designed to equip new and veteran board presidents and vice presidents as well as superintendents and other school directors who may pursue a leadership position in the future.

PARSS Annual Conference April 29 – May 1, 2020 in State College
The 2020 PARSS Conference is April 29 through May 1, 2020, at Wyndham Garden Hotel at Mountain View Country Club in State College. Please register as a member or a vendor by accessing the links below.

Register today for the 2020 PASA/PA Principals Association PA Educational Leadership Summit, August 2-4, at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square 
(hosted by the PA Principals Association and the PA Association of School Administrators). Participants can earn up to 80 PIL hours (40 hours for the Summit and - for an additional cost of $50 - 40 hours for EdCamp) for attending the conference and completing program requirements. Register early to reserve your seat! The deadline to take advantage of the Early Bird Discount is April 24, 2020.   
Click here to register today!


Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may be affiliated with.


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