Harrisburg School for the Arts Seeking Charter School Status

Capital Area School for the Arts ("CASA") will seek charter school status beginning with the 2013-14 school year, a move allegedly resulting from the breakdown of the financial model that the school has used since its founding 11 years ago.  If CASA's charter application is  granted, the school would no longer need to rely on voluntary tuition funding from school districts and private donors that send students to the magnet arts school in downtown Harrisburg. 

CASA draws gifted students interested in pursuing the arts from 24 school districts.  Many of those districts are not in good financial shape and have reduced or eliminated payment of CASA's $5,500 annual per student fee, leaving students to rely on tuition help from CASA, outside donors or their parents.  CASA enrollment has dropped to 83 this year, down nearly 50% from a few years ago. 

The 24 school districts have tried to come up with a funding plan to continue sending students to CASA but, with only three of the 24 school districts eligible to send students to CASA willing to cover the $5,500 tuition, no solutions seemed satisfactory and the school, through the board of directors for the Capital Area Intermediate Unit, CASA's operator, voted unanimously to seek charter school status in the Harrisburg School District beginning next school year. 

If the charter is granted, the curriculum at CASA will change markedly since CASA would be required to provide a full academic program in addition to the half-day training in art, music, dance, theater and film that the school currently offers.  

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What does it mean for Charter Boards and Administrators: The financial allure of converting to charter status may embolden other magnet schools to become charters.  If charters are granted, the PA DOE will consequently be paying more of the cost to operate these new charters than it had previously when they were magnet schools and existing charter budgets will be squeezed further.   

One other important lesson:  Continue to nurture private donors.  With charter budgets being impacted by the budget deficit in the Commonwealth and further eroded by moves by CASA and other magnets, it is critical to maintain excellent relations with donors and potential donors as the financial climate will inevitably lead school officials to ask supporters to contribute funds to help  charters meet their various missions.   

This Charter School Alert was authored by Eric L. Silberstein, an attorney with Salvo Rogers & Elinski in Blue Bell, PA.  Mr. Silberstein, a member of Salvo Rogers & Elinski's Corporate and Real Estate Groups, has practiced law for 20 years and works closely with charter boards and administrators on governance, financing, special education, real estate, charter renewals and other charter matters.  Mr. Silberstein is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut.  He can be reached at (215) 653-0110 or esilberstein@salvorogers.com.  Salvo Rogers is a boutique law firm started in 1988 that is committed to providing high quality, personal service and cost effectiveness to clients pursuing business transactions, commercial real estate matters, and trusts and estates planning.

Please continue to follow other Pennsylvania charter school news of interest posted on my blog, "PA Charter School Law Forum:" pacharterlawforum.blogspot.com.  Your comments and suggestions are welcome.