The news this week that cyber charter schools statewide have been accumulating money based on outdated funding models and lax regulations shows the need for better oversight.

Charter schools, especially cyber charter schools, which can take students from across the state, are an important part of the state’s school ecosystem. But that doesn’t mean the state shouldn’t be keeping closer tabs on how their funding is being used.

“It is important to note that these findings do not indicate any wrongdoing or noncompliance by the cyber charter schools themselves,” reads the audit. “Rather, the issues identified are largely a result of the flawed funding formula.”

But that doesn’t change the fact that someone is responsible for five schools — Commonwealth Charter Academy, which has a branch in Cranberry Township; Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School; Insight PA Cyber Charter School; Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School and Reach Cyber Charter School — that used loopholes in the charter school funding formula to increase their revenues by $425 million and their reserves by 144%, and spent the money on items such as staff bonuses and gift cards.

That money was supposed to go toward educating children, and could have been allocated to other schools that desperately need it. Auditor General Timothy DeFoor is the third state auditor to bring this issue up.

His proposal, for a task force appointed by the governor followed by action in the state legislature, is worth pursuing. We call on all lawmakers to make fixing the cyber charter school funding formula a priority — they have an obligation to the public to do so.

— JK