State Charter School Commission to revisit funding for cyber schools

By D. Aileen Dodd

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Georgia Charter Schools Commission will go back to the bargaining table with two cyber high schools that want to open this fall but say they cannot with the current funding the state is providing.

The schools, Kaplan Academy of Georgia and Provost Academy Georgia, have tabled their approved commission charter petitions due to a funding formula they say would not provide students with a quality education. Last month, the commission set the funding formula for cyber charters at about $3,500 a student, less than its charters with traditional campuses. Those schools receive federal and state dollars plus a controversial matching share of local funds. Cyber charters receive only federal and state funds.

National and state supporters of virtual education argue that equal funding is necessary to allow them to equip students with computers, pay for teachers and offer electives like music and art classes.

“We cannot operate at a level under $4,500 per student,” said Teresa Bensch, board secretary for Georgia Virtual Education Partners, which will oversee Kaplan. “What are we going to say to all of the parents and kids who are anxious to start in the high school? Without the funding, it put students on hold.”

Last month, officials with the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) asked Georgia to establish “fair and equitable” funding for virtual charters that matches the national average in other states, which spend about $6,500 per student. In addition, about 70 parents with the group Georgia Parents for Public Virtual Education rallied at the state Department of Education for full funding of cyber charters.

Now, as the state has seen opportunities for cyber charters stagnate, the commission plans to revisit its funding discussion on Aug. 19.

“The commission remains committed to quality virtual education in Georgia,” Mark Peevy, executive director for the commission, said. “We had two very reputable companies that have two very good academic plans ... look at our funding level and say they cannot produce a quality school for that amount of money. We will move forward to looking at where the right funding level should be.”

Michael Melnick, a founding board member at Provost Academy, said even if funding levels were raised, it may be too late to offer fall classes.

School choice supporter Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) said he is optimistic the commission can establish an appropriate funding level for the schools to open.

“Virtual schools are the future,” Rogers said. “This is a great opportunity for Georgia to be a leader in education rather than being at the back of the pack.”