(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Dr. Jane Bovalino,  Rochester School District Superintendent was a special guest on Teleforum with Frank Sparks on Wednesday February 19, 2020. The subject of the interview was about a recent article in the paper that talked about what Beaver County school districts pay per student for a student who attends a charter school.  Dr. Bovalino was accompanied by Kathy Onuska, Business Manager, Tonya Onuska, Rochester Cyber Academy Coordinator, Michael Damon Rochester Middle School/High School Principal and Amanda Cwynar, Rochester Elementary School Principal.

The group spoke about how they support a part of Gov. Wolf’s budget proposal that will level the playing field for all public schools by each school paying an across the board fee per student that attends a charter school as compared to the current formula that was put into law in 2011.  Dr. Bovalino talked about how the current formula is calculated. Tonya Onuska talked about an across the board plan that she has been supporting and Kathy Onuska supported by putting figures to what the school district pays out now compared to what they would save under the new plan if approved.

The group met with Pa Senator Elder Vogel about this and they are scheduled to have an informational meeting with Pa Representatives Josh Kail, Rob Matzie, and Jim Marshall early next week.  The group just wants a level playing field for everyone because in the end the burden lies with the taxpayer and how is that right that one school pays more than another for the exact same service.

You can see the interview as it streamed Live on Facebook by pressing the play button below: