TIM ELLER

Harrisburg

The Jan. 29 article “Cyber, charter schooling may cost JSASD $3.2M” this year is not only misleading but includes incorrect information.

Jersey Shore Area School District Superintendent Dr. Brian Ulmer claims that the district’s cyber program only costs the district $3,000 for each regular education and special education student.

The district’s school board, parents, and taxpayers should request a full accounting of Dr. Ulmer’s figures, specifically focusing on the following areas:

— Does the district’s cyber program provide comprehensive services and support to all students with disabilities and is it in compliance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?

— Does the district’s cyber program include all technology for non-special education and special education students to fully participate from home, including a computer, instructional materials, home internet service, and in-home and/or virtual special education services?

— Does any portion of the district’s cyber program require students — both regular and special education — to participate from a district-run building?

If the answer to any of the above questions is “no,” then the district’s cyber program cannot be compared to a public cyber charter school and any cost comparison is deeply flawed.

Dr. Ulmer’s argument falls flat because public cyber charter schools, like Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA), are required by law to provide every student who enrolls a comprehensive online educational program regardless of his or her disability status and regardless of where in Pennsylvania the student resides. School district cyber programs are not held to the same standard.

Dr. Ulmer is using a slight of hand by arguing that public cyber charter schools receive too much money; however, he should direct his focus on why families are leaving his district and enrolling in public cyber charter schools.

The argument about money is wearing thin. Families are leaving district-run schools because of the lack of academic quality and how they are treated.

Until districts dig into why families flee district-run schools, they will continue to see families exercise their right of school choice and enroll in a school that will best serve their child’s needs.

(Tim Eller is senior vice president of outreach and government relations for Commonwealth Charter Academy.)