EF discusses cyber charter school funding reform; high school construction

The Elizabeth Forward Regional Republican Committee also questioned the board about the high school construction.

Elizabeth Forward School Board Director Thomas Sharkey shared a study done by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association at Wednesday’s regular voting meeting about increased charter school costs.

Charter school costs have affected budgets and tax increases for the school district in the past, along with how much money public schools put into these charter schools and other factors.

Superintendent Keith Konyk has advocated for increased funding in Harrisburg in the past as well as advocating for cyber schools to charge less.

Pennsylvania is reforming cyber charter school laws to address funding and accountability – limiting fund balances, increasing transparency for advertising, and enforcing student wellness check requirements.

The cyber charter reform bill that passed in late 2025 will save Pennsylvanians hundreds of millions of dollars by setting a flat tuition rate of $8,000 for each regular education student and aligning special education tuition with cybers’ actual costs, which jumped down from the $15,000 amount and requires residency.

Overall, the reform for the future will save $175 million for school districts across Pennsylvania by redefining the cyber charter school funding formula, thereby reducing the tuition payments school districts pay to cyber charter schools.

According to Sharkey and the PSBA report, between the 2013-14 school year and the 2023-24 school year, charter school tuition payments rose 109%, and special education costs increased 67% for public schools.

“Those increases were only outpaced by pension costs, which increased 152%,” Sharkey said. “Charter school tuition increased $1.6 billion with no additional state or federal funding coming in during that timeframe.”

To add perspective to rising costs, the report compared increases in mandated inspection to state and federal funding. Pension costs rose $2.8 billion in that 10 year time period, and state and federal funding increased by $1.6 billion.

Special education costs rose $1.8 billion while state and federal funding only increased by $401 million, Sharkey said.

In other matters, a representative from the Elizabeth Forward Regional Republican Committee asked the board several questions about the high school construction on Wednesday.

A poll was conducted among all political parties in the community a couple weeks ago about the status of high school renovations, and there were several looming questions, including debt service, concerns of high taxes, average classroom sizes and more.

The statement also thanked the board for rebuilding following the fire, and how the district is moving forward in a challenging period.

“At the same time, significant concerns remain regarding rising property taxes, the total cost of the high school project and long-term financial implications for the district,” according to the statement. “It is critical that educational investments are paired with a responsible financial plan that protects taxpayers and ensures long-term stability.”

There was also a change order for the general contractor that was approved Wednesday involving $229,755.88 in curb changes, a retaining wall and more.

Konyk said the district applied on March 13 for a $5 million Public School Facility Improvement grant to be used for high school facility improvements.

The PSFIG program, through the Commonwealth Financing Authority, provides grants to public school districts and area career and technical schools for eligible facility improvement projects.

There is a 25% match for the district, according to Konyk, and this is a state-level funding source. Konyk encouraged the public to call local legislators to get their support for this grant.

Funds can be used for roof repairs, heating, ventilation, boilers, plumbing systems, energy saving projects, emergencies, demolition, accessibility projects and more.

According to Konyk, HVAC and mechanical work in the middle school and Central Elementary are some of the projects that will be funded with the grant.

“We recognize that a $5 million request does not always mean we get $5 million, but we did submit that,” Konyk said. “The Public School Facilities requires the request for the grant for work that has not started. We are blessed to have $4.4 million in grants so far, and we are hoping for a little bit more.”

In other matters, the board:

• Approved a motion to purchase athletic training tables for the new Trainers Room at the high school in the amount of $8,754. Director Megan Ferraro cast the lone no vote.

• A motion to purchase an electronic display board for the new high school gym lobby from Howard Technology Solutions was tabled by a 6-3 vote due to the price. Some board members also wanted more information. The price was $44,733.90 for one screen, and the motion was originally for two boards in the amount of $72,243.