Pennsylvania Group Investigates Excessive Cyber Charter Spending on Luxury Cars, Dining, and Entertainment

Pennsylvania’s biggest online charter school, Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA), has been in the spotlight for spending large sums on dining, entertainment, and vehicles. A recent review revealed that the school spent hundreds of thousands over two years, raising questions about accountability in the cyber charter system.

Susan Spika, executive director of Education Voters PA, emphasized the need for stricter oversight of cyber charter schools. She argued that there should be a standardized tuition rate for these schools, as the current system leads to unequal payments across school districts.

According to the findings, CCA spent $4,000 to sponsor an exclusive social club in Harrisburg. They also purchased four new SUVs, one costing nearly $59,000. Spika pointed out that many families struggle financially, and taxes meant for education are being diverted to cover such expenses.

“These tax dollars come from families and retirees who are already facing financial hardships,” Spika said, highlighting the unfairness in how funds are allocated. Public schools in Pennsylvania are significantly underfunded, missing out on vital resources for students.

In response, CCA’s spokesperson argued that Education Voters does not reflect the views of most Pennsylvania voters, who tend to support school choice. They claimed that the group misrepresented the information and that their expenses are typical for organizations of this size.

With a budget of $500 million, CCA serves over 33,000 students and employs more than 2,400 staff members. However, cyber charter schools have faced criticism for low graduation rates and lack of accountability.

Recently, a bill was passed in the state House to cap taxpayer-funded tuition for cyber charter schools. This cap is expected to save around $500 million annually. State Rep. Joe Ciresi plans to reintroduce this legislation alongside reforms that would set regulations for using artificial intelligence and require health checks for students.

Concerns have been raised about student safety, especially in light of tragic incidents involving cyber charter students. Ciresi stated that more oversight is crucial for ensuring student wellbeing.

House Education Committee Chairperson Peter Schweyer and Senate Education Committee Chairperson Lynda Schlegel Culver both acknowledged the ongoing issues surrounding charter schools. They expressed hope that reforms will be considered in the upcoming legislative session. Culver pointed out that many school leaders have voiced their frustrations with the funding system.

Education Voters filed requests for CCA’s check records, discovering significant amounts spent on dining, entertainment, vehicle purchases, and other expenses. Notably, they found:

• 455 payments for dining, totaling over $116,000.
• 193 entertainment payments, amounting to nearly $405,000.
• 51 payments to car dealerships and car washes, exceeding $584,000.
• 276 retailer payments that added up to more than $406,000.
• Over 2,600 payments to families, totaling over $1 million.

Spika called for a forensic audit of CCA to verify the legality of these expenditures. She believes no school should receive funding with an expired charter, as currently, nine out of fourteen cyber charters are operating without valid charters.

The Pennsylvania Auditor General’s Office is currently conducting an audit of charter schools, though no completion date has been announced. Education Voters insists that there should be a moratorium on new cyber charter approvals until existing schools are properly chartered.