Below is a letter of support sent by the Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools (PCPCS) in support of Senate Bill 590.
June 4, 2019
Dear Senate Education Committee Members,
On behalf of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools (PCPCS), I am writing to
express our support for the concept of SB 590 by Senator Browne, and I urge you to vote in
favor of this bill at Tuesday’s meeting of the Education Committee.
PCPCS recognizes that funding is currently an issue for several charter school opponents, and
we agree that funding equity needs to be addressed – currently, charters receive 25 percent
less funding per student compared to what districts receive. PCPCS would support a fair,
balanced funding commission to study the issues affecting school districts and charter schools.
A fair funding commission should, therefore, have representation from brick and mortar charter
schools, cyber charter schools and the school districts as well.
We believe SB 590 should also include language inserted by the House last session, or
something similar, to make the commission balanced:
“One member jointly appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives.”
We appreciate the leadership of Senator Browne to introduce this important bill focused on
charter school funding. We also appreciate your time and hope that we can count on your
support for these crucial pieces of legislation.
Ana Meyers
Executive Director
