I know a lot of you have already reached out to your lawmakers.
You’ve sent the emails.
You’ve made the calls.
You’ve shown up when you could.

And I also know the frustration that comes with feeling like nothing is moving.

But maybe we’ve been thinking about this the wrong way.

Maybe it’s not about one email.
Maybe it’s not about one visit.
Maybe it’s not even about Harrisburg.

Maybe it’s about every day.

Maybe today, you tell one person about your child’s school.
Maybe you share how a public cyber charter—or whatever school your family chose—has made a difference in your home.
Maybe you post in your local Facebook group about why your school matters.

Maybe you take that group text that usually drives you crazy…
…and instead, you drop your lawmaker’s number in there and say:
“Call. Tell them about your kid.”

Maybe it’s a quick email.
Maybe it’s a phone call.
Maybe it’s stopping by an office when you’re nearby.

None of these things feel huge on their own.
But together? They’re everything.

Because here’s the reality—
The other side has millions of dollars.
They have teams of people repeating the same message over and over again.

What do we have?

We have something stronger—
We have real stories.
We have real kids.
We have real outcomes.

And if every parent made even one small, intentional action each day…
we wouldn’t just be part of the conversation—
we would change it.

This doesn’t have to be a fight.
It doesn’t have to be conflict.

It needs to be a conversation.

Tell your barber.
Talk to that parent you see at the store.
Start a small group of local parents and just begin talking, sharing, organizing.

Not everyone can go to Harrisburg.
Not everyone should.

I can go a couple times a year.
I can shake hands, send emails, make calls, ask questions about bills.

But this movement?

It doesn’t grow because of a few people doing a lot.

It grows when everyone does a little.

And when that happens—
those small actions don’t stay small for long.

They add up.
They build momentum.
They turn the tide.

Every day. Every voice. Every parent.

That’s how this works.

The Starting Point: A Real District, Real Scale

Let’s take the politics out of it and start with the numbers.

The School District of Philadelphia serves:

• 118,092 students

And operates with:

• $4.663 billion in total expenditures

🧮 Per Student Spending (Current System)

👉 $4,663,000,000 ÷ 118,092 students

➡️ ≈ $39,485 per student

Let that sit for a second.

Philadelphia is operating at nearly $40,000 per student.

💻 Now Apply Proposed Cyber Charter Rates

The policy conversation on the table is around:

👉 ~$8,000 per student

🎓 Same Students:

➡️ 118,092 students

💰 New Funding Level:

➡️ $8,000 per student

👉 Total Budget:
➡️ $944,736,000

⚖️ The Gap

• Current system: $4.663 billion

• $8K model: $944 million

👉 Difference: ~$3.7 BILLION

This is not a minor adjustment.

This is a complete structural reset.

🧱 Where the Current Money Goes

Philadelphia’s system is built around:

👩‍🏫 Teachers:

• 8,000 (FTE)

🧑‍💼 + 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Everyone Else:

• 11,712 additional staff

👉 Total workforce: ~19,700

📊 Staff Reality:

• Teachers: ~41%

• Non-teachers: ~59%

💡 What That Means Per Student

👩‍🏫 Students per Teacher:

➡️ 118,092 ÷ 8,000 ≈ 14.7 students per teacher

🧑‍💼 Students per Total Staff:

➡️ 118,092 ÷ 19,712 ≈ 6 students per adult

👉 That’s a highly staffed system.

💸 What Happens Under an $8,000 Model

At $944 million total funding, the system must fit inside that number.

But today’s system is built to operate at:

👉 $4.6 billion

🚨 Reality Check:

If nothing changes:

• You cannot fund current staffing levels

• You cannot fund current compensation levels

• You cannot fund current system structure

🔍 So What Actually Changes?

There are only three levers:

1. Reduce compensation

2. Reduce staffing

3. Reduce system overhead

🎯 The Key Question for Lawmakers

This is not about eliminating services.

It’s about prioritizing them.

At $8,000 per student, lawmakers must decide:

• What is essential to student learning?

• What supports the classroom directly?

• What exists outside of instruction?

👨‍👩‍👧 What Parents Should Understand

Parents don’t experience “$39,000 per student.”

They experience:

• Class sizes

• Teacher access

• Support services

• Communication

• Outcomes

So when they hear:

“We spend nearly $40,000 per student”

The natural question becomes:

👉 Where is that money actually going?

⚠️ The Structural Reality

Philadelphia expanded significantly in recent years:

• More staff

• More programs

• More services

Many of these were funded through temporary federal relief dollars.

Now those funds are disappearing.

👉 Which means:

The system is now trying to sustain permanent costs with shrinking revenue.

🍎 The Real Conversation

This is not:

❌ District vs Cyber
❌ Public vs Charter

This is:

👉 Structure vs sustainability

Because once you apply:

• $39,485 per student (current)
  vs

• $8,000 per student (proposed)

You are forced to ask:

👉 What actually matters most in education spending?

🍎 Final Thought

At $8,000 per student, education does not disappear.

But the system around it cannot stay the same.

“$8K REALITY CHECK”

• 🟥 Teachers → FULLY FUNDED

• 🟦 Admin → FULLY FUNDED

• ⚫ Everything Else → Must fit in $165M

🍎 Candy Apple Close

Parents aren’t asking for less education.
They’re asking for clarity on why it costs so much—and what it’s actually delivering.

The Starting Point: A Real District, Real Numbers

Let’s take the emotion out of the debate for a moment and look at something concrete.

The Millcreek Township School District operates with:

• 6,341 students

• $119,143,295 total annual budget 24-25

That equals:

• $18,789 per student

This is not an estimate. This is the actual, adopted budget.

Where the Money Comes From

Millcreek’s funding is not mysterious—it’s clearly defined:

• $79.8 million from local sources (mostly property taxes)

• $37.7 million from the state

• $2.8 million from federal sources

That means:

• Roughly two-thirds of funding comes from local taxpayers

This matters—because any conversation about school funding is, at its core, a conversation about your local tax bill.

Where the Money Goes

Out of that $119 million:

• $68.1 million (57%) goes to instruction

• $38.4 million (32%) goes to support services (administration, operations, etc.)

• $9.9 million (8%) goes to debt and transfers

When broken down per student:

• $10,739 per student → instruction

• ~$8,000 per student → everything else

That’s an important distinction.

The People Behind the Numbers

Millcreek employs approximately:

• 470 teachers

• 87 administrators and administrative support staff

• 269 support staff (aides, counselors, etc.)

That’s 826 total staff members serving 6,341 students.

On paper:

• About 13.5 students per teacher

• But also:

  • 43% of staff are not classroom teachers

What Actually Reaches the Classroom

From the total budget:

• Teacher salaries: $24.4 million

• Benefits: $15.6 million

That’s roughly:

• $40 million for teacher compensation

Per student:

• ~$6,300 goes to teacher salary and benefits

So while the system spends nearly $19,000 per student, only about one-third directly supports teacher pay.

Now Let’s Apply the $8,000 Question

What happens if you fund the same district at $8,000 per student?

With 6,341 students:

• Total budget becomes $50.7 million

If you keep the same spending structure:

• Instruction: $28.9 million

• Support: $16.2 million

• Debt/other: ~$5 million

The Reality Check

Right now, Millcreek spends:

• ~$40 million on teacher compensation

Under an $8,000 model:

• The entire instruction budget is only $28.9 million

That means:

• You cannot maintain current staffing and compensation levels

• Something has to change

What Would Have to Change?

There are only a few options:

1. Reduce teacher salaries

2. Reduce the number of teachers

3. Reduce costs outside the classroom

That third option is where the real conversation begins.

The Bigger Question

This isn’t just about $8,000 vs $19,000.

It’s about understanding:

• What portion of funding actually reaches the classroom

• How staffing is structured

• And how much of the system exists outside of direct instruction

Final Thought

If a system currently spends nearly $19,000 per student, and only about $6,300 reaches teacher compensation, then the real question isn’t:

“Is $8,000 enough?”

It’s:

“What are we paying for in the other $11,000?”

Parents aren’t asking for less education.

They’re asking for clarity, accountability, and honesty about where the money actually goes.

There’s a reason you don’t see it published in one clean place.

And there’s a reason parents are constantly told a story that doesn’t quite match reality.

Because when you put these numbers side by side — really side by side — the narrative starts to crack.

Let’s be clear about what this data actually is.

• Actual Instruction Expense – what is truly being spent to educate students

• Total Expenditures – everything the district spends

• Average Daily Membership (ADM) – the real student count

• Per-Student Spending (Total ÷ ADM) – the true cost per student

• District Charter Rate (Non-Special Ed) – what districts pay for public charter students

And then the key number:

👉 District Spend vs Charter Rate — the difference

Here’s the part they don’t want talked about:

This comparison has nothing to do with special education.

None of it.

This is a clean, straightforward, apples-to-apples look at regular education spending.

And yet…

• PDE does not present it this way

• Reports avoid putting these numbers directly together

• Conversations get redirected back to “complexity” instead of clarity

Why?

Because clarity changes the conversation.

When you divide Total Expenditures by ADM, you get the real per-student cost inside a district.

Not a talking point.
Not a press release number.
The actual cost.

And when you line that up next to the charter tuition rate, something uncomfortable happens:

➡️ The gap becomes visible
➡️ The assumptions fall apart
➡️ The question changes from “Why are charters so expensive?”
➡️ To “Why are we being told that?”

This is exactly why parents are frustrated.

Not because they don’t understand the system…

But because they’re starting to.

And once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

You start asking better questions:

• Why isn’t this comparison standard in every report?

• Why are we debating pathways instead of outcomes and cost transparency?

• Why are the cheapest public schools still the first ones attacked?

This isn’t about picking sides.

This is about telling the truth in plain English.

Parents don’t need a 200-page report.

They need one honest number:

👉 What are we spending per student… and how does that compare?

The data you’re about to see answers that.

And it’s exactly why it’s never presented this way.

Final Thought

If the system worked the way they say it does…
They wouldn’t be afraid of this math.

Call to Action:

📊 Review the full data
📣 Share this with another parent
🏛️ Ask your lawmaker one simple question:

“What is the fully funded per-student rate in my district?”

And don’t let them change the subject.

Not debates.
Not votes.
Not headlines.

Memos.

Co-sponsorship memos—where lawmakers quietly outline what they support, what they want to change, and where they’re headed next.

We pulled them.
Read them.
Stacked them.

And when you do that?

You start to see something bigg

Lawmaker: Sen. Lindsey Williams
Link: https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=48259

Summary:
Focuses on education funding reform and adequacy, including:

• Ensuring districts receive sufficient resources

• Aligning funding with student needs

• Addressing gaps in current funding structures

Signal:
Push toward increased baseline funding and redistribution models.

Lawmaker: Sen. Vincent Hughes
Link: https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=47636

Summary:
Addresses education funding equity, including:

• Closing funding disparities

• Targeting underfunded districts

• Increasing state investment

Signal:
Reinforces equity-driven funding reform.

Lawmaker: Sen. Tim Kearney
Link: https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=47470

Summary:
Focuses on school safety and student well-being, including:

• Mental health supports

• Safety infrastructure

• Expanded student services

Signal:
Adds to district cost and service expansion narrative.

Lawmaker: Sen. Amanda Cappelletti
Link: https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46584

Summary:
Addresses student support and school resources, including:

• Behavioral health programs

• Student-centered services

• Expanded school support systems

Signal:
Builds case for increased district funding needs.

Lawmaker: Sen. Judith Schwank
Link: https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46375

Summary:
Focuses on education workforce challenges, including:

• Teacher shortages

• Recruitment and retention

• Supporting educators

Signal:
Supports argument for increased funding tied to staffing.

Lawmaker: Sen. Maria Collett
Link: https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46358

Summary:
Focuses on mental health services in schools, including:

• Expanding access

• Increasing funding

• Supporting student well-being

Signal:
Reinforces “schools need more resources” narrative.

Lawmaker: Sen. Art Haywood
Link: https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46156

Summary:
Addresses education equity and opportunity gaps, including:

• Supporting underserved students

• Increasing access to resources

• Targeted funding approaches

Signal:

Lawmaker: Sen. Steve Santarsiero
Link: https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=45979

Summary:
Focuses on education funding accountability and structure, including:

• Reviewing how funds are allocated

• Improving transparency

• Strengthening financial oversight

Signal:
Supports system-wide funding adjustments and oversight.

Lawmaker: Sen. Sharif Street
Link: https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=44547

Summary:
Addresses education access and equity, including:

• Reducing barriers to education

• Expanding opportunity

• Supporting underserved populations

Signal:
Early foundation for equity-first policy direction.

Lawmaker: Sen. Jay Costa
Link: https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=44183

Summary:
Focuses on broad education funding reform, including:

• Increasing investment

• Addressing disparities

• Long-term funding sustainability

Signal:
Sets stage for larger funding restructuring conversations.

Lawmaker: Sen. Nikil Saval
Link: https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=44124

Summary:
Focuses on school infrastructure and facilities, including:

• Building repairs

• Capital improvements

• Modernizing school environments

Signal:
Adds to district funding demand beyond classroom costs.

Lawmaker: Sen. Lindsey Williams
Link: https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=44148

Summary:
Addresses education funding equity and student needs, including:

• Aligning funding with student populations

• Addressing inequities

• Supporting public education systems

Signal:
Reinforces redistribution and adequacy models.

Lawmaker: Sen. Vincent Hughes
Link: https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=43508

Summary:
Focuses on education investment and funding priorities, including:

• Increasing state funding

• Addressing long-term needs

• Supporting district systems

Signal:
Early push for expanded funding commitments.

Lawmaker: Sen. Art Haywood
Link: https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=43469

Summary:
Addresses education equity and systemic reform, including:

• Closing achievement gaps

• Expanding access

• Structural funding changes

Signal:
Foundational memo for equity-driven reform direction.

Key Senators

These show up multiple times—important for engagement:

• Sen. Lindsey Williams (48259, 44148)

• Sen. Vincent Hughes (47636, 43508)

• Sen. Art Haywood (46156, 43469)

Primary Election – Your Moment to Respond

🗳️ May 19, 2026
⏰ Polls open: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

📝 Register by: May 4, 2026
📬 Mail-in ballot request by: May 12, 2026

Let’s Ask the Question

Because now you’ve seen it.

👉 Do you agree with your Senator?
👉 Did something here stand out to you?
👉 Did you find something you want to engage with?

You Don’t Have to Stay Quiet

📌 Call their office
📌 Send an email
📌 Tag them publicly
📌 Ask direct questions

Because these memos?

They’re not the end.

They’re the beginning.

There’s a moment in every fight where the pieces stop looking random.

Where things that felt disconnected…
suddenly line up.

That’s where we are right now in Pennsylvania education.

Not with a bill.
Not with a vote.
But with something most people never read:

Co-sponsorship memos.

What Most People Miss

Before legislation is introduced…
before headlines…
before the debate…

Lawmakers signal their intent.

Quietly.

Through memos.

And when you line them up—not one, not two, but dozens—you don’t just see ideas.

You see a direction.

Funding, Equity & Redistribution

• Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (43853)
  Focus on long-term public education investment and sustainability.

• Rep. Rick Krajewski (43958)
  Push for structural education funding reform and fairness.

• Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (44112)
  Addressing economic barriers and access to education.

• Rep. Chris Rabb (44259)
  Exploring new and alternative funding models.

• Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El (44866)
  Emphasis on adequate and equitable school funding.

• Rep. Carol Kazeem (45227)
  Targeting resource gaps in underserved communities.

• Rep. Robert Freeman (45775)
  Closing funding gaps between districts.

• Rep. Justin Fleming (46241)
  Modernizing how education dollars are distributed.

• Rep. James Roebuck (47212)
  Ensuring adequate funding across all districts.

• Rep. Carol Hill-Evans (47319)
  Aligning funding with student-based needs.

• Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (48006)
  Expanding fair funding formulas statewide.

District Costs, Services & “Pressure” Narrative

• Rep. Donna Bullock (44021)
  Expanding community schools and wraparound services.

• Rep. Manuel Guzman Jr. (44906)
  Support for multilingual learners and language access.

• Rep. Ed Neilson (45094)
  Growth in career and technical education (CTE).

• Rep. Aerion Abney (45332)
  Expanding student opportunities and support programs.

• Rep. Jeanne McNeill (45429)
  Increased focus on school safety and security funding.

• Rep. Dan Williams (45627)
  Addressing teacher shortages and staffing needs.

• Rep. Gina Curry (46071)
  Expanding student wellness and behavioral health programs.

• Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (46208)
  Funding for school buildings and infrastructure upgrades.

• Rep. Mike Schlossberg (46426)
  Expanding school-based mental health services.

• Rep. Brian Munroe (46732)
  Increasing student support services and safety measures.

• Rep. Mary Isaacson (48055)
  Highlighting financial strain from special education and mental health costs.

Charter & Cyber School Oversight / Regulation

• Rep. Regina Young (44606, 47510)
  Strengthening charter school accountability and transparency.

• Rep. Mark Longietti (47053)
  Expanding financial reporting and oversight requirements.

• Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (47243)
  Modernizing charter oversight systems.

• Rep. Lisa Borowski (48040)
  Increasing charter transparency and financial disclosure rules.

• Rep. Christina Sappey (45633)
  Broader push for education spending transparency.

Charter vs District Framing

• Rep. Steve Samuelson (47634)
  Focus on financial impact of charter tuition on district budgets.

Cyber Charter Funding Changes

• Rep. Peter Schweyer (46812)
  Standardizing and reducing cyber charter tuition rates.

• Rep. Joe Ciresi (48005)
  Aligning cyber funding with “actual costs” and lowering payments.

When You Step Back… This Is What You See

Not chaos.

A pattern.

Step 1: Build the Case

Equity. Sustainability. “We need more.”

Step 2: Expand the Need

Mental health. Safety. Staffing. Facilities. Language services.

Step 3: Reinforce Pressure

Districts are struggling. Budgets are tight.

Step 4: Apply Scrutiny

Charters need oversight. Transparency. Regulation.

Step 5: Adjust the Flow

Cyber funding gets reduced. Formulas get rewritten.

Step 6: Restructure the System

Redistribution. Reallocation. Control.

Let’s Be Clear

None of these memos alone tell the full story.

Together?

They do.

This is how policy is shaped before you ever hear about it.

Now Let’s Talk About You

Because this is where it changes.

Pennsylvania Primary Election – 2026

🗳️ Election Day: May 19, 2026
⏰ Polls Open: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

📝 Last Day to Register: May 4, 2026
📬 Last Day to Request Mail-In Ballot: May 12, 2026

Here’s The Question No One Is Asking (But Should Be)

👉 Do you agree with your lawmaker?
👉 Do you even know where they stand?
👉 Did you find one of these memos that made you stop and think?

Because You Can Do Something About It

This isn’t a closed room.

This is still your system.

📌 Call them
📌 Email them
📌 Tag them
📌 Ask questions

You don’t need to be an expert.

You just need to be engaged.

The Candy Apple Truth

We can debate funding.
We can debate models.
We can debate outcomes.

But none of it matters if parents aren’t in the room.

And right now?

The room is being filled.

Final Thought

These memos are not the end.

They’re the beginning.

And the primary election?

That’s your response.

Call to Action

👇 Drop it in the comments:

• Do you agree with your lawmaker?

• Did one of these stand out to you?

• Are you reaching out?

Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned…

The people who show up early… shape what happens next.

Last week, parents across Pennsylvania laid their cards on the table.

On March 4, families showed up. They wore blue. They shared their stories. They reminded everyone watching that parents are paying attention.

And people noticed.

But if you think that was the whole game, you’re mistaken.

That was just one hand.

The truth is, March 4 was never meant to be the final play. It was a signal — a way of showing that parents are engaged, organized, and ready to speak when it matters.

Because when it comes to our children, the stakes are too high to sit quietly at the table.

Across the Commonwealth, parents, grandparents, and caregivers spoke with pride about the paths their families have chosen. Not out of anger, but out of experience.

They’ve seen the difference.

They know what works for their children.

And they’re not afraid to say it.

But even with that momentum, we have to remember something important.

March 4 was just one day.

There are many more conversations ahead.
Many more decisions ahead.
And yes — many more battles ahead.

The cards are still on the table.

Everyone now knows parents are watching.

And at some point soon, parents will speak up again.

No one knows exactly when.

That’s part of the surprise.

Because sometimes the most powerful move in a game isn’t the one everyone sees coming.

For now, the message is simple:

Stay tuned.

The next hand hasn’t been played yet.

🔵 #PAOneDay
🔵 #MovementMonday

Years later, we still see the difference.

Not in test scores.

Not in headlines.

In our children.

We see it in their communication skills.
In the way they speak to adults.
In their confidence.
In their willingness to create, to try new things, to build something of their own.

That didn’t happen by accident.

That happened because we made a change.

It happened because we listened when something didn’t feel right.

It happened because we chose differently.

That’s why I fight.

Not because it’s trendy.
Not because it’s political.
Not because I enjoy conflict.

I fight because I have seen the difference with my own eyes.

When you’ve watched your child regain confidence…
When you’ve seen stress replaced with stability…
When you’ve watched growth happen because you made a hard decision…

You don’t forget that.

On March 4, 1681, King Charles II granted William Penn the charter for what became Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania was founded on the idea that individuals matter.

Families matter.

Choice matters.

Today, parents across this Commonwealth are reminding leaders of that truth.

We wear blue.

We share our stories.

We flood the zone.

Because when you know the difference — you don’t stay silent.

🔵 #PAOneDay

After hearing those words, we didn’t react emotionally.

We got to work.

We researched private schools.
We looked at other brick-and-mortar charter schools.
We explored every option available to us.

Not because we were angry.

Because we were responsible.

When someone tells you your child won’t “survive,” you don’t argue — you search.

Eventually, we settled on a cyber charter school.

Not because it was easy.
Not because it was trendy.
Not because someone convinced us.

Because it was right for our child.

And almost overnight, we saw change.

Confidence returning.
Stress lifting.
Communication improving.

It wasn’t dramatic. It was steady.

But it was undeniable.

Friends noticed.
Family noticed.
Community members noticed.

When something works for your child, you don’t stay quiet about it.

You protect it.

You advocate for it.

You become fierce about it — not because you’re political, but because you’ve seen the difference.

On March 4 — the anniversary of Pennsylvania’s founding — we remember that choice is part of this Commonwealth’s DNA.

This is Part Two of our story.

If you made a change for your child and saw the difference, you understand.

🔵 #PAOneDay

After 6th grade graduation, everything shifted.

There were a lot of events leading up to that day that I won’t unpack here. Like many families, we had concerns. We had conversations. We tried to work within the system.

But there was one moment that made the decision clear.

Tab and I were sitting one-on-one with a member of the school administration. It wasn’t a dramatic meeting. It wasn’t angry. It was calm.

And then we heard the sentence that changed everything:

“What are you going to do with Skyler next year? Because he will not survive in middle school.”

Not, “Here’s how we’ll support him.”

Not, “Let’s build a plan together.”

Not, “We’re committed to helping him succeed.”

He will not survive.

That’s the moment.

The moment a parent realizes the system may not be built for their child.

You can feel it in your chest.
You can feel it in your gut.

You stop debating.
You stop hoping it will fix itself.
You start looking for something better.

On March 4, 1681, King Charles II granted William Penn the charter for what became Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania was founded on the idea of freedom.

Including the freedom to choose differently when something isn’t working.

This is Part One of our March 4 story.

If you’ve ever had a moment like that — the moment you knew something had to change — you’re not alone.

🔵 #PAOneDay

One charter.

One decision.

One beginning for Pennsylvania.

That date matters.

Because Pennsylvania was founded on the idea that individuals — not systems — matter.

That freedom includes parents.

That’s why on March 4th, Candy Apple is asking families across this Commonwealth to show up — together.

🔵 What March 4th Is

This is not a rally.
This is not a Capitol event.
This is not a protest.

This is a statewide social media blitz.

On March 4th, we:

• Wear Royal Blue

• Post a photo

• Share our story

• Use #PAOneDay

• Engage with each other

No buses.
No microphones.
No gatekeepers.

We own the day.

Why Candy Apple Is Doing This

Because parents are tired of being talked about instead of listened to.

Budgets get negotiated.
Policies get written.
Funding debates happen in rooms most families will never sit in.

But parents live the results every single day.

Candy Apple believes something simple:

Parents deserve visibility.

Not just when something is being cut.
Not just when something is controversial.

But when something is working.

March 4th is about pride.

🔵 Why Blue?

Not red.

Not partisan.

Not organizational branding.

Royal Blue.

Pennsylvania Blue.

This day is bigger than Candy Apple.

This is about families across public schools, cyber schools, brick-and-mortar schools, homeschool communities — anyone who believes parents deserve a voice.

Blue represents unity without division.

What To Post

Keep it real. Keep it simple.

You might say:

• “My child thrives because…”

• “We chose this school because…”

• “Education works best when parents are heard.”

• “I’m proud of my school choice.”

Post your photo wearing blue.

Use #PAOneDay.

Tag three other parents.

Then spend five minutes engaging with other posts.

That’s how we flood the zone.

Flood the Zone

We are not waiting for permission.

We are not waiting for coverage.

We are creating presence.

If hundreds — or thousands — of families post on the same day, with the same color, using the same hashtag, feeds across Pennsylvania turn blue.

Lawmakers notice.

Communities notice.

Other parents realize they are not alone.

That matters.

This Is Just the Beginning

Candy Apple isn’t asking for one loud day and silence afterward.

March 4th proves something:

Parents can coordinate.
Parents can mobilize.
Parents can lead.

1681 was the founding of Pennsylvania.

2026 is parents reminding leaders who this Commonwealth belongs to.

Wear Blue.

Share Your Story.

Flood the Zone.

— Candy Apple Advocacy
#PAOneDay 🔵

Just Share It.

Don’t want to take a photo?
Don’t want to write a long post?

Share the graphic.

On March 4th, post it with #PAOneDay and move on.

No explanation needed.
No debate required.

Just this:

Proud Parents Show Up.

That’s how we flood the zone.
That’s how feeds turn blue.
That’s how we own the day.

If you’re a Steelers fan, you already know.

When Renegade starts playing in the fourth quarter, that’s not background music.
That’s a signal.

It’s time to get loud.
It’s time to stand up.
It’s time to wave the towel.

Parents across Pennsylvania — this is that moment.

They Changed the Language. Again.

Last week, leaders including Speaker Joanna McClinton and Appropriations Chair Jordan Harris stood with the William Penn School District to celebrate increased investments in “local schools.”

State lawmakers celebrate, renew commitment to local schools

Did you catch that?

Not “public schools.”

Local schools.

Why the shift?

Because parents have been clear — repeatedly and directly — that cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania are public schools.

Our kids are public school students.
Our teachers are public educators.
Our schools are accountable to the state.

When lawmakers say they want to invest in “local schools,” but not acknowledge cyber charters as public schools, they’re talking out of both sides of their mouth.

You can’t say:

“Every student deserves what they need to succeed.”

…while designing policy that cuts funding for 60,000+ public cyber students.

You can’t say:

“We support public education.”

…while redefining who counts.

We are not less than.
Our kids are not a budget line item.
And we’re not going away.

The Fight Is Moving Because We Are Fighting

Let me say this clearly:

The narrative is shifting because parents are engaging.

You showed up.
You emailed.
You drove to Harrisburg.
You asked uncomfortable questions.
You forced clarity.

That matters.

But this budget is coming fast and hard. And if we slow down, they will redefine the terms again.

We need to be louder and faster.

March 4 — One Day. No Wiggle Room.

On March 4, 1681, King Charles II granted William Penn the charter for what would become Pennsylvania.

It was about building something.

So on March 4, we build something together.

And this time, it’s not just cyber charters.

It’s brick-and-mortar.
It’s cyber.
It’s families who chose differently but believe the same thing:

Kids come first. No more cuts.

Here’s The Plan

To parents.
To caregivers.
To community partners.

This is a good-faith ask.

We are better together than apart.

March 4:

• Wear Blue

• Post on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok

• Use #OneDayPA

• Share your story

• Spend intentional time at the end of the day liking and amplifying each other

No attacks.
No infighting.
No policy debates.

Just stories.
Pride.
Visibility.

We own one day of the conversation.

This Is Renegade Time

If you know, you know.

When that song hits, you don’t stay seated.
You don’t whisper.
You don’t wait for someone else to start.

You stand up and wave your towel.

This is that fourth-quarter moment.

To every parent reading this:

Get on your feet.
Wave your towel.
Be loud.
Be proud.
Be unmistakable.

Because this movement is working.
The goal posts moved because we pushed them.

Now we push harder.

Respectfully — and fired up,

Jim Malliard

This one is a day late — and that part matters.

Yesterday was Monday Action #12.
Instead of writing, I was laid out. Sinus pressure. Headache. The kind of sick that forces you to stop even when you don’t want to.

But today is Tuesday.
I’m back up.
And parents don’t get to pause when decisions about our kids are moving.

The Budget Is Moving — and Parents Need to Be a Force

Budget hearings are happening right now.
They’re moving fast, and it looks like this budget may be wrapped up early.

Fast decisions mean fewer parent voices — unless parents show up together.

That’s what March 4 is about.

This Is About Being Proud of Our School Choice

March 4 isn’t about arguing.
It’s not about tearing anything down.

It’s about parents standing up and saying:

I chose my child’s school.
It works for my family.
My child is thriving.
And I’m proud of that choice.

School choice is personal.
It’s daily life.
It’s kids being supported in ways that finally make sense.

That pride deserves to flood the conversation.

March 4: A Parent-Led Social Media Takeover

On March 4, parents across Pennsylvania will do more than post.

We’re taking over feeds — together.

This is how we become a force:

• Parents posting pride at the same time

• Parents lifting each other’s stories

• Parents amplifying voices that often go unseen

One post is a whisper.
Thousands of parents engaging together is impossible to ignore.

The Lock 🔒

🎨 Color

ROYAL BLUE

Wear it proudly.
Let it be the visual signal that parents are united and paying attention.

#️⃣ Hashtag

#PAOneDay

One state.
One day.
Parents showing up together.

March 4 = #PAOneDay

How to Participate — and Multiply the Impact

On March 4:

• Wear ROYAL BLUE

• Post a photo, video, or message about why you’re proud of your school choice

• Use #PAOneDay

• Then engage:

  • Like other parent posts

  • Comment encouragement

  • Share stories that resonate

  • Tag friends and say “Add yours”

Spend 5–10 minutes lifting other parents — that’s how this becomes a takeover, not a trend.

Final Thought

I was down yesterday.
The timeline didn’t pause.
The budget didn’t pause.

So we won’t either.

March 4 isn’t about being louder than anyone else.
It’s about being everywhere — together.

Proud.
Confident.
Unapologetic.

Royal Blue.
#PAOneDay.
March 4.

This is Movement Monday, because real progress doesn’t start with arguments or talking points.
It starts with shared understanding.

And shared understanding starts with the law.

Before we argue about funding, accountability, or reform, we need to settle something basic:

What is a public school in Pennsylvania?

This is not a matter of opinion.
It is clearly defined in statute.

Under Pennsylvania law, public schools include:

• School districts

• Charter schools

• Cyber charter schools

All three are public schools.
All three serve public students.
All three receive public funding.

That definition comes directly from the Pennsylvania Charter School Law, as implemented through Pennsylvania Code.

According to 22 Pa. Code § 711.1 (Definitions), charter schools and cyber charter schools are defined as independent public schools and are required to be organized as public, nonprofit corporations.

The law is explicit:

• Charter schools may not be granted to for-profit entities

• Cyber charter schools operate under the same public, nonprofit requirement

This isn’t a loophole.
It isn’t a gray area.
It isn’t a technicality.

It’s the legal foundation of how public education operates in Pennsylvania.

You can read it directly here:
https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/022/chapter711/s711.1.html

Yet despite this clarity, there are ongoing efforts to blur definitions — or outright misstate them — in order to tilt the scales of public understanding.

That has no place in this conversation.

Pennsylvania parents aren’t asking for spin. They’re asking for the truth.

If someone believes public dollars should not go to private schools, that is a legitimate policy position. But then consistency matters.

Because charter schools and cyber charter schools are not private schools.
They are public schools under Pennsylvania law.
And public schools deserve public dollars.

Redefining words to win an argument doesn’t protect public education.
It undermines trust.

Movement Monday isn’t about volume or outrage.
It’s about grounding the conversation in reality — so we can actually fix what’s broken instead of talking past each other.

Once we agree on the law, then we can have honest conversations about:

• Funding formulas

• Accountability standards

• Transparency

• Outcomes for students

But we cannot move forward if we refuse to agree on first principles.

So let’s start where we should have all along.

Law first.
Facts second.
Policy after that.

This is Movement Monday because this work can’t wait for another election cycle or another manufactured fight.

Pennsylvania parents want clarity — not political spin.
Educators deserve stability — not distraction.
And students deserve a system built on truth, not talking points.

If you’re ready to build something better, speak up.
Comment. Share. Ask questions.

Let’s stop arguing over definitions.
And start fixing systems.

Five years doesn’t sound like much — until you realize how much life can happen in between.

For the Malliard family, these five years hold everything: fear, growth, pride, grief, recovery, frustration, and resolve. School choice didn’t “save” our kids in some neat, inspirational way. What it did was give them room to grow — and it forced us, as parents, to stop hoping someone else would speak for them.

Year One: Watching Before Speaking

Our first year at the Capitol was overwhelming.

Tabby and I were the ones who spoke. Bella was there too — but she stayed at the top of the stairs. She wanted nothing to do with a microphone. She hid a little. Watched a lot. She didn’t have words yet, but she was learning what it looked like when parents decided to stand up anyway.

Year Two: Finding Her Voice

The second year, something shifted.

With encouragement from her parents and support from her school, Bella stepped forward. The same kid who hid the year before took the microphone and spoke — focused, steady, and confident. Even the staff noticed.

Watching your child find their voice is one of those moments that stays with you forever.

Bella’s first time speaking on the Capitol steps. One year earlier, she hid at the top of the stairs.

Year Three: All Four of Us

The third year is the one I never want to gloss over.

All four of us — me, Tabby, Bella, and Skyler — were there together. Healthy. Present. Standing in the Capitol before rehab, before strokes, before life split into “before” and “after.”

That day meant more to me than most people will ever know.

If you’ve ever seen me on video with a Pennsylvania flag behind me, that isn’t just any flag. That flag flew over the Capitol that day. Every time I see it, it warms my heart — and reminds me that the work didn’t stop there.

It still hasn’t.

All four of us. Before everything changed.

Year Four: Showing Up From Rehab

Then came the year everything looked different.

Bella was in rehab.

She couldn’t stand on the Capitol steps. Honestly, she couldn’t stand without assistance at all. There are two photos from that year — one of Bella in rehab, and one of me meeting with State Senator Scott Hutchinson.

What matters most isn’t what’s in the frame.

It’s what isn’t.

Bella missed being in Harrisburg — but she didn’t miss the work. From rehab, she handed out school choice bracelets and stickers to staff. She told them why school choice mattered to her.

After I got back from that solo trip, still in rehab, she said something I will never forget:

“Dad, I’m going to Harrisburg next year with you.”

Advocacy doesn’t stop just because life gets hard.

Carrying her voice when she couldn’t be there.

Year Five: The Doors Were Closed

This year — our fifth — the Capitol was closed.

A massive snowstorm canceled sessions. Everyone but us stayed home. After Tabby’s strokes, Bella’s recovery, no one would have blamed us for skipping it.

But Bella wanted to go.

So we went anyway.

We stood outside the Capitol. Took the picture. Let the world know that school choice still matters to us in Pennsylvania — even when the doors are closed, even when it’s cold, even when life has already taken more than it’s given.

The doors were closed. We showed up anyway.

Why Candy Apple Advocacy Exists

Candy Apple Advocacy exists because this work is messy. Political. Frustrating. Painful.

Tabby has always been the heart of our special education and IEP work — standing up for families who couldn’t or didn’t want to speak up. Even now, still recovering and not yet home, I know she’ll want to keep doing that work when she’s able.

Skyler doesn’t say much. But when he told me we made the right decision to change schools, that was enough. He graduated this spring. Quiet confirmation that the hard choices mattered.

I won’t pretend this year didn’t break me.

The budget fight hurt deeply. Watching education — and tens of thousands of students — treated like a political game left me questioning myself for days. Maybe longer. I wondered if I failed them. If my best wasn’t good enough.

People tell me I did everything I could.
But when kids lose, “your best” doesn’t feel like much comfort.

That pain doesn’t disappear.

The Ask

But one thing hasn’t changed.

Every single morning, I wake up with the same objective:

Put my kids first.
Put all kids first.

So here’s my ask — and I won’t soften it.

Join me.

Not by hoping my voice will save the day. It won’t. And it shouldn’t have to.
You don’t have to go to Harrisburg.
You don’t have to speak at a podium.

But you do have to show up.

That’s why we’re building Candy Apple Advocacy.
That’s why we’re launched Movement Mondays — to help families take real, manageable action on their own journey. One email. One conversation. One step forward.

Subscribe now

Hope is not a strategy.
Families taking action together is.

Five years in, we’re still here.
Still standing.
Still showing up.

And the work isn’t done.

Share

Bella as Pennsylvania Representative, National School Choice Week 2026

Today is the day.

For months, parents across Pennsylvania have emailed, called, visited offices, mailed drawings, told our stories, and refused to stay quiet about our children’s schools.

Today, all of that comes together.

Today, families walk into the Capitol — not as a political group, not as talking points, but as parents who love their kids and refuse to let their futures be negotiated away.

Whether you’re here in Harrisburg or speaking up from home, you are part of this day.

If You Are at the Event Today:

📸 Take photos
👋 Say hello to lawmakers
📝 Tell your story
💛 Meet other families
📣 Be visible, be proud, be present

You don’t have to give a speech.
Just show up — with your child, your joy, your fear, your hope, your truth.

Because presence is power.

If You Can’t Be Here in Person:

Today is not a day off from the fight.
Today is your chance to be just as loud from wherever you are.

📞 Call your Representative
📞 Call your Senator
📞 Call the Governor’s office
💬 Post on social media every chance you get
🏷️ Tag lawmakers in every post
📢 Comment on their pages
❤️ Share other parents’ posts
🔁 Keep the conversation going all day long

Say it again and again:

“My child matters. My school matters. We deserve to be heard.”

A Reminder for Everyone:

Today is a battle.
The war for our kids’ schools isn’t over — not even close.

Lawmakers must walk into that Capitol today knowing:

• parents are paying attention

• families are united

• students’ voices are in the building

• we will not be ignored

• we will not be divided

• we will not back down

They need to see us, hear us, feel our presence.

And they will.

To Every Parent Showing Up Today:

I am proud of you.
Your kids are proud of you.
This Commonwealth is better because you’re fighting for what’s right.

If you’re here in the rotunda — find me.
If you can’t be — I am carrying your voice with me.

This is our moment.
This is our movement.
Today we show them who we are.

👉 Stay connected. Stay engaged. Stay loud.

Candy Apple Advocacy

Sign Up Today At Candy Apple Advocacy, our mission is simple: putting students first. Sweetening the journey of parenthood, one candy apple at a time. Empowering parents with school advice, IEPs, and policy advocacy. Join us for brighter futures.

By Jim Malliard

We are now one week away from National School Choice Week at the Capitol.

And here’s the truth:
Lawmakers receive hundreds of invitations every month.
Most get forgotten.
Most never make it into the right hands.
Most never get a follow-up.

This week, we change that.

Parents do not just invite once.
Parents follow up.

This Monday, we send a second invitation — and we make it clear that families will be there, and our stories are coming with us.

1️⃣ Who to Invite (Again)

✔️ Your State Representative
✔️ Your State Senator
✔️ The Governor
✔️ And — YES — any member of the House or Senate Education Committees you’ve emailed before

If they’ve heard from you once, twice, or ten times — good.
They’ll remember you.

2️⃣ Email Template (copy/paste)

Subject: One week out — please join us on Jan. 27

Dear [Name],

I’m writing today to kindly follow up on my earlier invitation to the National School Choice Week event in the Capitol Rotunda on January 27th at 10 AM.

As a parent, I would be grateful to see you there. Families, students, teachers, and school leaders will be gathering to share their stories and talk about what their schools have meant to them — especially after this year’s 25% funding cut.

I know your schedule is extremely busy, but your presence would mean a great deal to the children and parents of Pennsylvania. Even a brief visit would show us you hear us and care about the public school options families rely on.

Thank you for your time,
[Your Name]
[Town/City]
[Child’s School — optional]

Short, sincere, human — and direct.

3️⃣ Social Post for Parents

“Week 10: Re-invited my lawmakers to the Jan 27 event. One week to go — let’s fill that rotunda with parent voices. Your turn.”

4️⃣ Why Week 10 Matters

Follow-ups get results.
Every organizer knows it.
Every legislative staffer knows it.

When staffers see:

• the same parents emailing again

• asking politely

• showing commitment

• showing up every Monday

…it sticks.
It becomes a pattern.
It becomes influence.

And that’s how families win long-term.

We’ve spent eight weeks showing up as parents.
Now it’s time for lawmakers to hear from the people who feel these decisions the most:

our kids.

Not as political tools.
Not as talking points.
Not as statistics.

Just as children — learning, growing, and hoping their school stays strong.

This week has two parts:

1️⃣ EMAIL at least 5 Representatives (any five).

Tell your family’s story and ask a simple, heartfelt question:

👉 “Would you write my child a letter back so they know you heard them?”

No lawmaker expects this.
Every lawmaker remembers it.

And yes — even if they’re not your district’s Rep, you can email them.
They represent Pennsylvania, and your child is a Pennsylvania student.

2️⃣ MAIL or DROP OFF something from your child

This can be:

• a drawing

• a letter

• a short note

• a picture they colored

• a sentence about why they love their school

• a photo of them learning

To YOUR State Representative.
To YOUR State Senator.

Kids don’t lobby.
Kids don’t argue.

Kids tell the truth.

A hand-drawn picture landing on a lawmaker’s desk is unforgettable.

3️⃣ Email Template (copy/paste)

Subject: A personal request — would you write my child back?

Dear Representative,

I am a Pennsylvania parent reaching out to share our story. My child attends a public [district/charter/cyber charter] school that has been truly life-changing for our family.

The recent funding decisions have created a lot of fear and uncertainty for us, and my child has been asking questions no child should have to ask about whether their school will still be there for them.

I’m writing to ask something simple, human, and from the heart:
Would you write my child a short letter back?
Something that reminds them that the people in Harrisburg see them, hear them, and understand that their education matters.

This would mean the world to them — and to us.

Thank you for your time and for caring about Pennsylvania’s kids.
[Your Name]
[Town/City]
[Child’s first name – optional]

4️⃣ What to Mail or Drop Off

Include a small note written or drawn by your child:

• “I love my school because ___”

• “My teacher helped me ___”

• A drawing of their classroom

• A simple picture with their name

Seal it.
Address it.
Let them feel the heartbeat behind this fight.

5️⃣ Social Media Post for Parents

“Week 9: Our kids speak.
Today I emailed 5 lawmakers and asked them to write my child back.
And we mailed a note from my child to our Rep and Senator.
Kids deserve to be heard. Your turn.”

6️⃣ Why Week 9 Matters

Every office tracks:

• constituent emails

• visits

• calls

• letters

• handwritten notes

• child artwork (yes, they save those)

This is relationship-building at the highest level.

Lawmakers forget policy arguments.
They NEVER forget letters from kids.

This week, we become unforgettable.

For seven weeks we’ve reached out to parents, held our story, met as families, and reminded lawmakers what’s really at stake.

Now we’re turning directly to the Democratic members of the Senate Education Committee:

• Lindsey Williams

• Carolyn Comitta

• Timothy Kearney

• Anthony Williams
  Education Committee+1

This isn’t about party lines.
This is about protecting public school choices — district, charter, and cyber.
It’s about families like yours and mine.

1️⃣ Your Call to Action This Week

Email each of these Democratic Senators.
Use your voice. Their votes matter.

2️⃣ Suggested Email (copy/paste or personalize)

Subject: Please support all public schools in your next funding decisions

Dear Senator [LAST NAME],

I’m a parent in Pennsylvania who deeply cares about my child’s school — whether it’s a district school, charter school or cyber charter school. The recent 25% funding cut to cyber public schools affects thousands of families like mine.

I’m calling on you, as a member of the Senate Education Committee, to remember that our children’s education is not a debate — it’s their future.

Please make sure that in the next budget your support includes the public school options that are serving students right now, and protects the families who depend on them.

Thank you for your service and for keeping children and families at the center of educational decisions.
[Your Name]
[Town/City]
[Your Child’s School — optional]

3️⃣ Social Post for Parents

“This week, I emailed the Senate Education Committee Democrats and reminded them: our children’s education isn’t a debate. It’s their future. Your turn.”

4️⃣ Why Week 8 Matters

We’ve built momentum.
Now we’re targeting every voice on the committee — not just one side of the aisle.
They cannot say they didn’t hear from parents.
We are showing up. We are consistent. We are visible.

5️⃣ Stay In the Loop

📬 Sign up to get next Monday’s action delivered straight to your inbox.
👉

Candy Apple Advocacy

Sign Up Today At Candy Apple Advocacy, our mission is simple: putting students first. Sweetening the journey of parenthood, one candy apple at a time. Empowering parents with school advice, IEPs, and policy advocacy. Join us for brighter futures.

By Jim Malliard

For too long, Pennsylvania parents have been told to “email your lawmaker” and hope something changes.
Hope isn’t a strategy anymore. Accountability is.

Today, we’re launching a project that will reshape how families and lawmakers interact throughout 2026 — and right into the crucial election season.

🛠 Why We’re Doing This

Over the last year, parents showed up in record numbers:

• 600+ families in our first parent survey

• Dozens of lawmakers contacted

• Stories shared

• Meetings held

• Advocacy that changed the tone statewide

But here’s the truth no one wants to say out loud:

Some lawmakers engage. Some ignore. Some only respond when it’s politically convenient.
This project makes that visible.

We’re not scoring ideology.
We’re not scoring political parties.
We’re scoring responsiveness — real interactions between real parents and real public officials.

🎯 How It Works

Every time a parent contacts a lawmaker — email, call, meeting, social post, office visit — they record it through our simple form.

Parents submit:

• Their lawmaker

• The type of interaction

• Whether anyone responded

• How meaningful the interaction was

We calculate the engagement score behind the scenes.
No lawmaker, staffer, district, or lobbying group can manipulate the results.

The 2026 Parent Engagement Tracker

🗓 Release Schedule

We are releasing three statewide public scorecards:

• 1st Release: April 16, 2026

• 2nd Release: July 30, 2026

• Final 2026 Cycle Report: November 1, 2026 (right before the election)

Then, in early 2027, we unveil the full results — including the most and least responsive Pennsylvania lawmakers — and open the next year of data collection immediately.

This creates a permanent accountability loop, powered entirely by parents.

💬 Why This Matters

A single parent email is powerful.
A hundred emails? That shifts priorities.
A thousand? That changes policy.

Lawmakers pay attention to organized data, not noise.

🚨 Your Call to Action

If you want lawmakers to take families seriously:

👉 Start updating your lawmaker engagement score today.
👉 Sign up on CandyAppleAdvocacy.com so you don’t miss Movement Mondays.
👉 Share this with every parent you know.

Share

This is how we win.
This is how we get heard.
This is how parents take the lead

The 2026 Parent Engagement Tracker