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School board talks charter school costs

The Montoursville Area School Board reviewed the changing costs as part of its budget Tuesday with a focus on funding charter schools and pensions.

“Those are mandated costs that we have to pay, we have no control over those costs,” said Brandy N. Smith, business manager.

Over a seven year period, charter tuition and pension costs increased by $1,660,738.

Of that, Smith estimated that about $500,000 went to paying for cyber schools.

“This year, the students have been in cyber all year where before we would see a lot of in and out, I’m not seeing that,” she said.

So far, the district has budgeted $575,000 for 2019-20, however there may be a few more kids to enroll before the next school year.

Christina Bason, superintendent, said the district is seeing “a great number” of kids coming and registering in the district who are already enrolled in cyber school.

It’s not a matter of the students choosing a better educational route than what the district has to offer, but continuing along what they are used to, she said.

“Those who have come in but have never seen our facility have never had the opportunity to see our programs,” said Bason.

By 2021 to 2022, the state Association of School Business Officials estimates the district will need to budget $750,000 to cover the cost of charter schools.

That number balloons the following year to $900,000 and by 2024, the association estimates the district will need to allocate $1.3 million.

Should the charter school reform legislation pass, Bason said Montoursville Schools will receive about $84,000 from the state to help alleviate the costs.

Members present: Dale Ulmer, Ronald Snell, Susan Beery, Jennifer Marriott, Dottie Mathers, David Shimmel, Scott Konkle and William Ruffing. Daniel Albert was absent.

The next Montoursville Area School Board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., March 10, in Montoursville High School, 50 N. Arch St.