The arguments for and against school choice topics stalled lawmakers in the 2023/24 budget season— and party leadership have hinted they could be the cause for more delays this year.

One of the topics of interest is cyber charter school reform.

H.B. 1422 passed the House last summer, and has sat in the Senate ever since. The bill calls for an $8,000 tuition rate across the state for cyber charter schools.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Joe Ciresi (D), hosted a press event earlier this month calling for action as the June 30 budget deadline inches closer.

“From what we are hearing from some of the leadership in the Senate, they do want to make this a subject in conversation,” said Ciresi. "They have some hardline individuals that they have to figure a way to get them to come to the table... and show that we are not getting rid of the opportunity of choice."

When a student transfers from a traditional public school to a charter school- whether that’s in a physical building or cyber program- the funds for their education transfer with them.

Because districts vary in how much they spend on students, the tuition funding that a charter school receives will also vary student to student. Charter school advocates do note there is room for conversation.

“If a very wealthy school district sends a kid to cyber school, that comes with $25,000. A poor district maybe $6000,” said Nathan Benefield, Vice President of Commonwealth Foundation. “Why are there different numbers for the same student in the same cyber school? Finding a balance there makes sense.”

Democrats say cyber schools especially require less money as the programs don’t have buildings and in-person student services to maintain (like a nurse or custodial staff).

“There seems to be consensus around the topic. It’s what are those ending numbers and how do we get there as the June 30th deadline approaches, or the end of session approaches,” said Kevin Busher, chief advocacy officer for the Pennsylvania School Board Association (PSBA).

The current rate of $8,000 has earned criticism as being too low.

“The same advocates saying that school districts need at least $13,000 per student just for instructional costs, saying cyber schools need $5,000 less for everything for the total cost makes absolutely no sense,” said Benefield.

Ciresi explained how they reached the $8,000 rate during his presser, referencing how this sort of reform has been discussed in Harrisburg for years.

“Governor Wolf had a number, $9,500. We went to our local districts and we said ‘what are you paying to do your cyber programs? They said $4,000- $5,000,” said Ciresi. "So we basically went in the middle and took the average, and said ‘alright, we’ll make it $8000."

Busher with PSBA noted that advocates for the rate are prepared to be flexible.

“Not more than $10,000 (as a rate) is really where the conversation seemed to be leading within the general assembly,” said Busher.

H.B. 1422 does also pave the way for other requests cyber charter schools have made, such as the ability to contract out their teachers/curriculum to school districts.

“They would like to see school districts open up testing locations to their students for statewide testing— that that's accomplished in 1422. Also busing for their special ed students— contained within 1422,” said Busher.

Governor Josh Shapiro mentioned the fixed rate reform in his February budget address. Senate Republicans maintain though that school-choice vouchers are a priority heading into this years budget negotiations.

When asked if the cyber charter financial reforms were important enough to barter with for vouchers, Ciresi placed the two policy pushes in his perspective.

“In the Democrat party, there is really no taste for us to have any kind of vouchers. The support is extremely low, if not even there at all,” said Ciresi. "The deal would have to be a large, large deal to come to the table. And it would have to not only be with this, but all of education reform. The $6 billion we’re hearing we need for public education to fund it properly, everything would have to be on the table."