As local parents opt in greater numbers on cyber charters for their children, school districts being left struggling to find funds to cover the associated tab, writes Maddie Hanna for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Before the school year began, Jaime Bassman, a Lower Merion parent, was not ready to send her children back into the classroom. However, she was equally unsatisfied with the virtual program offered by her school district.

“We all needed some real consistency this year,” said Bassman.

So instead, she decided to enroll her 15- and 12-year-old children in a cyber charter.

Many other parents in the region and statewide have made similar decisions, as virtual schools have seen their enrollment numbers nearly double over the previous year.

However the cost is being felt by school districts.

In Souderton Area School District, 32 additional students have enrolled in cyber charters since the outbreak started. Now, the district that operates on a $130 million budget needs to pay these charters an additional $600,000.

That is “a lot of money for us,” said Superintendent Frank Gallagher.

Read more about cyber charters at The Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.

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