Harrisburg forgot about the kids
Sharon Sedlar | December 18, 2025
When making a decision as parents on behalf of our children, we heavily weigh the pros and cons. We discern, make lists, check our thought processes (more than once!), and then revisit until we are settled with the right action – the right thing to do. We might bring in others to gain more information, insight and perspective – to ensure that we covered all of our bases; that we head off any unintended consequences and we know what to expect in that decision’s wake.
But that’s not what happened in Harrisburg a little over a month ago. They decided to impose cyber charter budget cuts and the result has been catastrophic to cyber charter teachers being laid off, schools that may have to close, and students who may be displaced. Why? Because stakeholders weren’t invited to the table. They didn’t consider all the bases, must less cover them.
We know there are going to be people in the Harrisburg Capitol who are going to mention the summer-time House Education Committee meetings that traveled the Commonwealth – the one where testifiers said the quiet part out loud – that cyber charters should be entirely dismantled. The ones where ONE parent was permitted to testify. ONE. How do we know this? Because we had three willing to speak.
We’ve attended those meetings and hearings. We’ve testified as an advocate and a parent. For the schools that might attend, the conversation is infused with distrust, insults, a palpable lack of willingness to understand from the dais. It seems to be theater rather than testimony. We don’t blame those who choose to stay away, because even as a family and an advocate, we get our fair share of (at minimum) side-eye. But it’s the job of our legislators to do their research and to craft policy in a way that doesn’t harm people – especially children.
Whether you’re a cyber charter parent or not, you should be concerned. How would you react if:
- funding for the children receiving special education services in your schools was cut by 20% (hundreds of millions of dollars)?
and then the very next year
- funding for ALL children was reduced by 20% (low estimate)
And it’s all retroactive to the start of the school year. Can you imagine refunding hundreds of millions of dollars halfway through the school year in any other private or public school?
District schools receive historic increases every year. Cyber charter students account for 4% of the Pennsylvania student body, yet are blamed for education budget issues. Allow us to point you in the direction of teacher pensions, which are the #1 strain on district budgets and cost 40 cents on the dollar (and climbing). Or to the $14 BILLION in school district reserves across PA. Or the fact that schools are being “held harmless” and receiving funding for students that haven’t attended in decades.
This fight isn’t just about cyber charters – it’s about Harrisburg choosing kids who are winners and losers. It’s about those in Harrisburg inserting themselves between parents and their kids and our ability to help our children. And yes, it’s about money and power controlling the narrative and the outcome – instead of what’s truly in the best interests of 65,000 children.
It won’t be a Merry Christmas for the 400+ teachers being laid off (so far – thousands are expected), or for the parents who are worried about their child’s well-being, or the children who fear loss of their beloved school.
We will continue to support parents, make ourselves available to all who wish our input, and fight for every single student in Pennsylvania – district, charter, private and home educated.
We will ensure that parent voice is heard, louder and clearer than ever before.
We will do everything in our power to halt further damage to students.
We will engage constructively and provide stories, testimony, expertise and insight wherever we can.
We won’t give up – not on families or students. Ever.
