Cyber Charter Reform

Policy Committee    February 9, 2026

NEWTON TWP., Feb. 9 – State lawmakers underscored the need for fairness, transparency and accountability in school funding. Officials emphasized that public education funding should be tied to outcomes and applied equitably across all school systems to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly. Monday's House Majority Policy hearing featured testimony from area school officials and was held at the Abington Heights Middle School in Lackawanna County.

• Host: Rep. Jim Haddock (D-Lackawanna, Luzerne), Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne)
• Testifiers:
  • Dr. Christopher Shaffer- Superintendent, Abington Heights School District
  • Anthony Abdalla- School Board, School Director, Abington Heights School District
  • Peter Butera- Board Member, Wyoming Area School District Board of Education

Agenda + Testimony

• Hearing agenda and testimony: Cyber Charter Reform

Media Release + News Coverage

• Policy Committee emphasize fairness in cyber charter reform, February 9, 2026
• The Times-Tribune, Local school officials testify about need for cyber charter school reform, February 9, 2026

Video + Photos

• Click here to view the entire hearing
• Click here to view photos of the hearing