I’m Not a Troll—Just a Frustrated Dad Who Believes in Cyber Schools
Fighting for Fair Funding: A Parent’s Perspective on Cyber Schools and Public Education
Let me start by saying this: I’m not on anyone’s payroll. I’m not a cyber school troll. I’m just a dad—a public cyber school parent—who’s seen firsthand the positive impact these schools can have. My family’s experience has been nothing short of amazing. That’s why I’m speaking up.
When I hear legislators, the governor, and House Democrats talk about slashing funding for public cyber schools, I can’t stay silent. They claim this will fix problems in education, but it won’t. It’s not a solution—it’s a step backward. All this will do is harm public education, public school students, and Pennsylvania-certified teachers. And let’s be real: we’re already facing a teacher shortage. Nine out of ten teachers I’ve spoken to—my kids’ teachers—have said they wouldn’t go back to a district. They’d rather leave the profession entirely.
So, here’s my message to parents who’ve had the same positive experience with cyber schools: share your story. Call your local lawmakers. Stop by their offices. Take your kids with you and let them see the impact with their own eyes. Our voices matter, and now is the time to use them.
This isn’t just about my family or yours—it’s about the future of public education in Pennsylvania. Let’s stand together and demand better.
Governor Josh Shapiro has cautioned that federal funding cuts would severely impact Pennsylvania schools. He stated that a federal shutdown would have an immediate negative impact on Pennsylvania because the money flows directly to the schools.
A student from Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School was hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Williams Grove Road and South Broad Street at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday morning. The driver, Bryson Von Lumm, was leaving the high school after dropping off a family member and failed to see the student in the crosswalk, hitting the victim while turning left. The student was taken to a local hospital with a leg injury. The Mechanicsburg School District stated that student safety is a top priority and that they are working with local authorities and offering counseling services.
Shana Pistilli founded the Rubato School of Music in 2022 with the mission of making music accessible to everyone, regardless of their challenges, inspired by her brother. The school focuses on providing private music lessons and supporting individuals with disabilities in overcoming barriers to musical expression. Recently, Rubato School of Music was honored with the "Music School of the Year" Award for schools with 0-100 students by Build A Music School for 2025. Pistilli attributes her success to the guidance of her own teacher, Jodi Jianniney.
https://6abc.com/post/pa-music-teacher-helps-kids-abilities-find-rhythm/15977464/
The PIAA's updated policy on transgender athletes is causing significant controversy and potential legal challenges, with critics arguing that it may violate state and federal laws. The policy change, made to comply with a presidential order, restricts participation in women's sports to individuals assigned female at birth, sparking outrage from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. This decision has led to concerns about discrimination, legal challenges, and the potential impact on transgender students' well-being.
In Pennsylvania, over 3,000 aspiring educators applied for student teacher stipends of up to $15,000 to support their in-classroom training. However, unless state lawmakers increase funding, many applicants may not receive the financial support they need. The Pennsylvania State Education Association emphasizes the importance of these stipends for individuals, particularly those who are the primary earners for their families. Although additional funding has been proposed, it remains uncertain whether it will adequately cover the demand.
https://penncapital-star.com/briefs/more-than-3000-apply-for-pa-student-teacher-stipends-in-one-day/
House
"Ending charging of children as adults," introduced by Representative Christopher Rabb, aims to protect and rehabilitate young Pennsylvanians by repealing the direct file law, ensuring that children are tried as youth and given the necessary resources to avoid a lifetime in the criminal legal system. The legislation intends to ensure that all children are treated as children, prohibiting their prosecution as adults, which is considered damaging to their well-being and the well-being of the commonwealth.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46073
The PA Dads Matter Act, introduced by Representatives Aerion Abney and Morgan Cephas, aims to improve maternal health outcomes in Pennsylvania by promoting the active involvement of fathers during pregnancy and childbirth. The legislation proposes a public awareness campaign directed by the Department of Health to highlight the positive impact of fathers' engagement on maternal and child health, including reduced risks of unhealthy birthweights and postpartum disorders. The sponsors invite other legislators to join in supporting this initiative to foster healthier families.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46063
Representative Liz Hanbidge has introduced legislation aimed at addressing the issue of excessively cold classroom temperatures in Pennsylvania schools. Currently, there is no minimum indoor temperature requirement in state law, which can negatively impact students' health and learning capabilities. The proposed legislation seeks to establish a target temperature range, implement temperature control measures, and mandate inspections to ensure compliance. By creating these standards, the goal is to foster safer and more conducive learning environments for students.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46071
Representative Dave Madsen is set to introduce legislation aimed at clarifying Pennsylvania's seat belt law for minors, which has faced misinterpretation by some law enforcement agencies. The current law mandates that all drivers under 18 and vehicle occupants aged eight to 18 must wear seat belts, while children under eight require appropriate car seats. This proposed legislation seeks to eliminate confusion regarding enforcement and emphasize the importance of seat belt use, which significantly increases the likelihood of survival in the event of a crash.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46034
Representative Jason Ortitay is introducing a six-bill package aimed at modernizing and streamlining the teacher certification process in Pennsylvania. The goal is to address challenges in recruiting and retaining educators, particularly in high-need areas and subjects. The current certification system is seen as creating unnecessary barriers for talented individuals, leading to staffing shortages that negatively impact students.
The proposed reforms are based on successful initiatives in other states and intend to build a stronger educator workforce, expand access to quality instruction, and uphold high standards
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46004
Representative Dave Madsen is introducing legislation to support Pennsylvania school districts in transitioning to electric school buses (ESBs). The legislation aims to establish a dedicated grant program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, to aid school districts in this transition. The program will offer technical assistance and financial grants to cover various costs associated with ESBs.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46012
Monday, March 17, 2025 *9:30 AM EDUCATION
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Voting meeting on HB's 354 & 819, and any other business that may come before the committee.
Room 205 Ryan Office LIVE STREAMED
Senate
Senator Jarrett Coleman is proposing legislation that would require school districts to obtain an appraisal before purchasing real estate. This measure aims to protect taxpayers from overpaying for properties. The proposed law seeks to add an appraisal requirement to ensure that school districts make informed financial decisions when acquiring real estate.
https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46057
The memo from Senators Devlin Robinson and Vincent Hughes highlights the alarming literacy levels in Pennsylvania, where only one-third of students are proficient in reading. It emphasizes the long-term negative impacts of childhood reading difficulties, including economic costs and challenges in civic engagement. The proposed legislation aims to enhance literacy education by building on previous bipartisan efforts, including the establishment of the Reading Leadership Council and the implementation of evidence-based reading curricula and training programs, ultimately ensuring that all children have the opportunity to read proficiently by the third grade.
https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46061
Senator Sharif Street plans to reintroduce SB 989, a legislative proposal aimed at allocating $50 million to improve the safety and protection of school corridors across Pennsylvania. This funding is intended to address crime and violence in these crucial areas that impact students' educational experiences by hiring police officers, training volunteer monitors, and potentially installing surveillance cameras.
https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46030