PSBA’s Right-to-Know charter request is all for show

Despite having the information they requested at their fingertips, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association pulled off a great publicity stunt when it filed a Rightto-Know request with charter and cyber charter school operators asking for financial information about their schools (“Pennsylvania School Boards Association Files Right-to-Know Requests on Charter School Spending,” May 15).

It’s disappointing the PostGazette didn’t ask PSBA why it isn’t getting this information from its own board membership since Pennsylvania law requires districts to authorize charters — and for charters to provide those districts with that financial information. A wealth of charter information is also available with the Pennsylvania Department of Education because, unlike PSBA schools, charters are held accountable and must reapply to remain open.

PSBA should file Right-toKnow requests for school board information, but I guess they don’t want the publicity. After all, districts are raising taxes all across the state while hoarding nearly $4 billion in reserve cash that could be put toward lowering property taxes and improving public education.

The Post-Gazette should look into how much in reserves each district in its coverage area has — and how often they raise taxes. JENNY BRADMON

Executive Director PA Families for Public Cyber

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