Pennsylvania parents are running out of time to sit quietly while Harrisburg decides what stays, what gets cut, and whose kids are expected to do more with less.

Every budget season in Pennsylvania starts to sound the same.

“There is no money.”
“Everyone has to sacrifice.”
“Tough decisions have to be made.”

But somehow those “tough decisions” almost always land on families, classrooms, programs, opportunities, and the people working directly with our kids.

And here is the dangerous part:
most parents do not realize how much trouble is coming until the cuts are already announced.

By then, the program is gone.
The teacher is laid off.
The support disappears.
The opportunity vanishes.

Then everybody asks:
“How did this happen?”

It happens because too many people stay silent while decisions are being made.

That image says it plainly.

NO ACTION =
Funding cuts.
Programming loss.
Teachers unemployed.

That is not fearmongering.
That is the cycle.

But the bottom half matters just as much.

ACTION =
Calling.
Sharing.
Emailing.
Engaging everyone.

No one parent is going to fix this alone.

But hundreds of parents taking small actions together?
That changes pressure.
That changes attention.
That changes political calculations.

That is why WE THE PARENTS PA matters.

Not because it is some giant polished event.

Because it is a starting point.

A place for families to hear stories, support each other, speak up, and remind lawmakers that parents are watching this budget season.

Some parents will go live.
Some will tell their stories.
Some will simply watch and share.

Every role matters.

The people making decisions in Harrisburg count on families being too busy, too tired, or too disconnected to organize.

Let’s prove them wrong.

WE THE PARENTS PA

📅 May 25
🕓 4 PM – 8 PM

➡️ Watch the livestream
➡️ Share the event with another parent
➡️ Join the conversation live or claim a 10-minute slot here:
WE THE PARENTS PA Scheduling Link

And one more thing.

Subscribe.
Because this conversation is not ending after one livestream.

The budget season is just getting started.

Share this post.
Tag another parent.
Bring someone with you.

Pennsylvania families are stronger when we stop acting alone!

There are moments when movements are built in giant arenas with million-dollar stages and consultants telling people what to say.

This will not be one of those moments.

WE THE PARENTS PA is going to be something different.

On Monday, May 18 and Monday, May 25 from 4 PM to 8 PM, we are opening up a livestream across Pennsylvania focused primarily on public cyber charter school families and the future of education in this Commonwealth.

Not polished speeches.

Not scripted answers.

Not political theater.

Just real conversations.

Parents. Teachers. Administrators. Community voices. Maybe even a few lawmakers. Ten-minute windows where people can simply speak honestly about what education looks like in their lives right now.

Why they stayed.

Why they left.

What worked.

What failed.

What they are fighting for.

And let me be clear about something else.

There is no money behind this.

No production company.
No giant marketing budget.
No paid advertising campaign.
No team of consultants.

This is grassroots.

Which means the fuel for this event is simple:
shares, comments, reactions, and people willing to show up online.

That matters because four hours is a long time.

We need people willing to watch.
We need people willing to share the livestream.
We need people commenting.
We need people tagging friends.
We need people helping the algorithm understand that parent voices matter in Pennsylvania.

Sometimes movements are not built by the person holding the microphone.

Sometimes they are built by the people sitting at the kitchen table hitting “share.”

If you are nervous about going live, that is okay.

If you do not think your story is important enough, you are probably exactly the kind of person who should be involved.

And if all you can do is tune in during dinner, react to posts, invite a friend, or help keep the energy alive during those four hours — that matters too.

This is not about perfection.

This is about presence.

WE THE PARENTS PA will be livestreamed on:

• LinkedIn

• Facebook

• YouTube

If you would like to join me live, tell your story, or share your perspective, you can schedule a 10-minute time slot here:

WE THE PARENTS PA Scheduling Link

For too long, conversations about education have happened around families instead of with them.

WE THE PARENTS PA is our attempt to change that.

Two Monday nights.

Four hours each night.

Ten-minute conversations.

One Commonwealth.

And maybe, just maybe, a reminder that parents are still the largest voting bloc in Pennsylvania.

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May 19 is coming fast.

And if parents want to be taken seriously in Pennsylvania politics, this is the moment to prove it.

Not someday.

Not “when things calm down.”

Now.

We say parents matter.

We say kids come first.

We say lawmakers need to listen.

Good.

Then let’s act like it.

Here are 13 simple things parents can do starting now to get louder, more visible, and more impossible to ignore before Primary Day.

1. Find Your Lawmakers

Know who represents you in Harrisburg.

House. Senate. School board. Local officials.

If you don’t know their names, they already have the advantage.

2. Send One Email

Not a perfect email.

Not a policy paper.

Just a real message from a real parent.

3. Share Your Story Publicly

One Facebook post.

One photo.

One reason your child matters.

Stories move people more than spreadsheets.

4. Register Someone to Vote

Your spouse.

Your neighbor.

Your grown kid.

Your friend who “doesn’t follow politics.”

Bring them into the conversation.

5. Comment on a Lawmaker’s Post

Respectfully. Publicly. Clearly.

Parents need to stop whispering in private and start speaking where people can see it.

6. Wear School Spirit Gear

At the store.

At work.

At the gas station.

Normalize pride in your child and your school.

7. Attend Something Local

School board meeting.

Community event.

Candidate night.

Breakfast fundraiser.

Presence matters.

8. Take a Picture With Your Kids

Not for vanity.

For legacy.

One day they’ll know you fought for them.

9. Ask One Hard Question

Where is the money going?

Who benefits?

Why are parents ignored until election season?

You don’t need permission to ask.

10. Support Another Parent

Share their post.

Encourage them.

Back them up in the comments.

Movements grow when parents stop feeling alone.

11. Put the Election Date Everywhere

Calendar. Fridge. Phone reminder.

May 19, 2026.

Treat it like it matters—because it does.

12. Bring Your Kids Into the Conversation

Teach them voting matters.

Teach them civic engagement matters.

Teach them parents should never sit quietly while decisions are made for families.

13. Actually Vote

The simplest thing.

The most powerful thing.

If parents voted at the level they complained, Pennsylvania politics would look very different.

This is bigger than one election.

This is about whether parents become a force politicians fear ignoring.

The loudest people shouldn’t always be the lobbyists.

Sometimes it should be moms and dads saying:

Enough. Look at our kids.

I’ve got a soft spot for this one.

I was a varsity golfer. I remember the quiet of a course more than the noise of a gym. I remember leaving school early, clubs in the trunk, chasing daylight. No crowd. No spotlight. Just you, the swing, and a chance to get a little better.

That mattered.

It still does.

Which is why this feels… off.

Because now I’m watching conversations at the state level—lawmakers debating playoff formats, regulations tightening, decisions being made in rooms far away from locker rooms—and I can’t shake the question:

Why is the state this deep in high school sports?

I get the argument.

Sports create opportunity.
They build discipline.
They give kids a reason to show up, belong, and push themselves.

That part is real. I’ve lived it.

But somewhere along the way, we didn’t just support sports—we built an industry around them.

And that’s where it starts to lose me.

We’ve got million-dollar stadiums for teenagers.

We’ve got turf fields replacing grass—not because it’s better for kids, but because it’s easier to maintain and monetize.

We’ve got broadcast deals and paywalls to watch your own local team play on a Friday night.

And now… we’ve got lawmakers spending time debating playoff structures.

Let that sink in.

In a world where families are fighting for educational stability, where budgets are tight, where real issues are stacking up…

We’re debating playoff formats.

This isn’t anti-sports.

This is pro-common sense.

There’s a difference.

Because when I think back to those golf matches, there wasn’t a dollar attached to it. No branding strategy. No revenue model. Just a school giving kids a chance to compete.

That’s the point, right?

Student athlete.

Not athlete first. Not content creator. Not revenue generator.

Student.

And the broadcast piece? That one really sticks.

Why can’t local schools stream their own games freely?

Why does a parent have to hit a paywall to watch their kid play?

We talk about community, but then we lock it behind subscriptions.

That doesn’t feel like access.
That feels like extraction.

Subscribe

I’m not naive.

I know sports cost money. I know facilities need upkeep. I know organization matters.

But there’s a line between supporting something and overengineering it.

And I think we crossed it.

Quietly.

Maybe the better question isn’t “How do we regulate high school sports better?”

Maybe it’s:

“Why are we regulating them at this level in the first place?”

What happened to local control?
What happened to communities deciding what works for their kids?
What happened to keeping the focus on participation, not production?

Because if we’re being honest…

This isn’t just about sports.

It’s about how easily we let good things turn into systems.

And once something becomes a system, it attracts money, rules, influence—and suddenly the original purpose starts to fade.

I still love the game.

Always will.

But I don’t love what it’s becoming.

And I think a lot of parents, a lot of former players, a lot of people watching from the outside are starting to feel the same tension:

We want kids to play.

We just don’t want them turned into products.

So maybe it’s time to pull this back a little.

Let schools be schools.
Let communities lead.
Let kids compete without being part of a bigger machine.

Keep the lights on Friday nights.

Just don’t let them blind us to what really matters.

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There’s a lot of noise in politics right now—ads, endorsements, party lines, and talking points flying in every direction. But strip all that away, and one thing becomes clear:

These races will impact your kid’s classroom.

Not someday. Not in theory.
Right now.

Across Pennsylvania, key State Senate and House primaries are unfolding that will decide who sits in the rooms where education funding, policy, and priorities are set. And too often, those decisions happen without real input from the people most affected—parents.

Let’s change that.

State Senate Races to Watch

• 18th District (Democratic) — Sen. Lisa Boscola vs. Taiba Sultana

• 20th District (Republican) — Sen. Lisa Baker vs. Tyler Meyers

• 22nd District (Democratic) — Sen. Marty Flynn vs. Jeffrey Lake

• 42nd District (Democratic) — Sen. Wayne Fontana vs. Paul Steenkiste

• 46th District (Republican) — Sen. Camera Bartolotta vs. Albert Buchtan

• 48th District (Republican) — Sen. Chris Gebhard vs. Clovis Crane

State House Races to Watch

• 22nd District (Democratic) — Rep. Ana Tiburcio vs. Ce-Ce Gerlach

• 91st District (Republican) — Rep. Dan Moul vs. Lindsay Krug vs. Nickolas Lovell

• 117th District (Republican) — Rep. Jamie Walsh vs. Bill Jones

• 159th District (Democratic) — Rep. Carol Kazeem vs. Brian Kirkland

• 166th District (Democratic) — Rep. Greg Vitali vs. Judy Trombetta

• 195th District (Democratic) — Rep. Keith Harris vs. Sierra McNeil vs. Kenneth Walker

These are just some of the races drawing attention statewide—but here’s the truth:

👉 The most important race is the one in your district.

What Needs to Happen Next

We’ve spent too long watching from the sidelines while others define what education should look like for our kids.

That ends now.

If you’re a parent, you don’t need permission to engage—you need a plan:

1. Reach out directly
Email these candidates. Ask simple, direct questions:

• Where do you stand on education funding?

• How do you define fairness for families?

• What is your position on school choice options?

2. Get them on the record
No vague answers. No talking points.
Ask for clarity—and keep the receipts.

3. Show up with your kids
Take them to events. Let candidates see the faces behind the policies.

4. Document everything
Photos. Videos. Conversations.
Because stories move people—but proof moves systems.

5. Share what you learn
Post it. Talk about it. Tag them.
Make it impossible for these conversations to stay hidden.

This Isn’t Politics—It’s Personal

At the end of the day, this isn’t about red vs. blue.

It’s about whether the people asking for your vote are willing to stand in front of your family and answer real questions.

Because if they won’t talk to you now…
they won’t listen later.

We’ve treated politics like a spectator sport for too long.

But when it comes to our kids?

We don’t sit in the stands.

We step onto the field.

There’s something electric about draft night.

Hope.
Energy.
Belief that this next pick could change everything.

In a city that bleeds black and gold for the Pittsburgh Steelers, we know what it looks like to rally behind a team. We know how to show up. We know how to get loud. We know how to believe in potential before it’s proven.

But here’s the question that won’t let me sit still:

Do we do that for our kids?

We talk about quarterbacks at the watercooler.
We debate draft picks like our opinions matter—because in that world, they do.

But when it comes to our kids?

Too often, the conversations get quiet.
The passion gets muted.
The urgency fades into “someone else will handle it.”

What if we flipped that?

What if our kids were the first-round pick every single year?

What if we:

• Talked about their schools like we talk about trades

• Showed up for meetings like we show up for kickoff

• Defended their future like we defend our team

• Got loud—real loud—when decisions didn’t go their way

Because let’s be honest…

Nobody ever won a championship sitting quietly on the sidelines.

We know what winning looks like.

It’s preparation.
It’s showing up.
It’s belief.
It’s community.

And most of all—it’s ownership.

Fans don’t just watch a team.
They become part of it.

That’s the mindset shift we need.

Because raising strong, capable, supported kids?
That’s our Super Bowl.

And here’s the truth nobody says out loud:

There is no draft redo for our kids.

No second chance season.
No rebuilding year that gives time back.

Every decision made today shapes tomorrow.

So yeah—get loud.

Talk about your kids at the watercooler.
Share their stories.
Stand up in rooms where decisions are made.
Call out what’s wrong.
Celebrate what’s working.

Bring that same energy. That same pride. That same fire.

Because if we can pack a stadium for a game…

We sure as hell can stand up for our kids.

And when we do?

That’s how we win it all.

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.