Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1115

Introduced
4/3/25  

Caption

In charter schools, providing for fund balance limits.

Impact

The implementation of HB 1115 would significantly alter the financial landscape for cyber charter schools throughout Pennsylvania. By placing strict limits on fund balances, the bill aims to prevent schools from retaining excessive funds that could otherwise be allocated towards educational resources and improvements. This measure is poised to enhance fiscal responsibility among charter institutions, ensuring that funds are utilized efficiently to benefit students and educational programs.

Summary

House Bill 1115 seeks to amend the Pennsylvania Public School Code by establishing limits on the fund balances of cyber charter schools. The bill proposes that starting from the 2024-2025 school year, these schools cannot accumulate unreserved and undesignated fund balances exceeding 8% of their total budgeted expenditures. Furthermore, the bill introduces caps on combined assigned and committed fund balances, establishing a framework intended to promote financial accountability and transparency within cyber charter schools.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1115 is mixed, reflecting a balance of support and opposition from various stakeholders in the education sector. Proponents of the bill view it as a necessary step towards improving accountability in the handling of public funds within charter schools. However, critics express concern that these limitations may inhibit the flexibility of schools to manage their finances effectively, potentially leading to underfunding of essential services. The debate illustrates differing perspectives on how best to regulate charter school finances while ensuring they can operate effectively.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 1115 include discussions on what constitutes appropriate fund balance levels for cyber charter schools. Advocates for conservative fund management argue for stringent limits, while opponents emphasize the need for charter schools to retain some financial reserves to manage unforeseen costs. This dialogue underscores the broader debate over financial governance in education and the role of state regulations in supporting or constraining educational institutions.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB799

In charter schools, further providing for funding for charter schools.

PA HB1500

In preliminary provisions, providing for Cyber Charter School Funding and Policy Council and furthe r providing for advertising and sponsorships; in pupils and attendance, further providing for exceptional children and education and training; in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for funding for cyber charter schools, for powers and duties of department and for assessment and evaluation, providing for fund balance limits, further providing for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions, providing for cyber charter school fund balance accountability, further providing for establishment of cyber charter school, for cyber charter school application, for enrollment and notification, for enrollee wellness checks and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations and providing for cyber charter school moratorium; and, in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for extraordinary special education program expenses.

PA HB2358

In charter schools, further providing for funding for cyber charter schools.

PA HB2424

In charter schools, further providing for funding for charter schools.

PA A2904

Provides that school districts with unpaid balances on certain borrowed funds are not subject to State school aid reductions; requires use of surplus funds to repay borrowed funds.

PA HB1372

In preliminary provisions, further providing for advertising and sponsorships; and, in charter scho ols, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements, for powers of board of trustees, for facilities, for enrollment, for funding for charter schools, for funding for cyber charter schools, for powers and duties of department, for assessment and evaluation and for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions, providing for fund balance limits and for educational management service providers, further providing for school district and intermediate unit responsibilities and for establishment of cyber charter school, providing for renewal of charters, for charter amendments and for causes for nonrenewal, revocation or termination and further providing for State Charter School Appeal Board review, for cyber charter school application, for enrollment and notification and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.

PA HB4041

K-3 reading plan; cash balances

PA SB354

In charter schools, further providing for funding for charter schools, for provisions applicable to charter schools and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.

PA HB3792

BALANCED BUDGET

PA SB705

Charter schools; renaming the Charter Schools Incentive Fund; directing transfer of certain remaining balance; modifying certain calculation. Effective date. Emergency.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.