Charter School Updates

The Souderton Charter School Collaborative (SCSC) located on Broad Street in Souderton is the only “bricks and mortar” charter school in Montgomery County. Approximately 185 students who reside in the Souderton Area attend SCSC instead of Souderton Area School District schools.

Charter schools are funded by school districts (not by the state) and our school district will provide SCSC with $2.5 million in funding this year. This method of funding charter schools, created by the Pennsylvania legislature, has established a competitive atmosphere between charter schools and public school districts as each seeks to maximize the educational impact of every dollar of funding. Over the past two years, a number of events have emphasized this atmosphere locally. A timeline and accompanying documentation below summarizes those events between January 2015 and today.

Timeline of Events, January 2015 through present

Date	Event	Notes
January 22, 2015	SASD Board passes resolution regarding Charter School Reform	A copy of the resolution can be found here.
February 16, 2016	SCSC requested to amend its charter and expand at a new location	A copy of the SCSC resolution can be found here.
March 29, 2016	SCSC withdrew its amendment request	A copy of the Superintendent’s message to staff regarding this action can be found here.
July 28, 2016	Meeting between SASD and SCSC officials	The parties met to review the recent charter amendment issue and establish new lines of communication. Click here for a summary of the meeting.
September 19, 2016	Follow up Meeting with Charter School Administrators	SASD Administrators met with SCSC Administrators to discuss ongoing issues and communication. Click here for a summary of the meeting.
October 12, 2016	SASD Administrators proposed Annual Charter School Review Process to SASD Board	The SASD administration developed and proposed the review process to the SASD Board at an Education/Personnel Committee Meeting. A copy of the proposed process can be found here.
October 2016	PA House Bill 530 was considered by the legislature	Bill authorizing changes to charter school law was considered and ultimately tabled by PA Legislature. Information about the bill that was proposed can be found here. A copy of the SASD Board President’s letter regarding the legislation can be found here.
December 8, 2016	SCSC sought to lease additional space in building adjacent to current facility	Prospective owner of property adjacent to SCSC filed for Conditional Use Hearing by Souderton Borough Council. A copy of the Borough Council’s advertisement of the hearing can be found in here.
January 5, 2017	Souderton Borough Council held the Conditional Use Hearing	SASD Administrators and Board members attended the hearing. Superintendent Gallagher questioned witnesses and made a closing statement regarding the impact of any potential enrollment increases at SCSC.
February 6, 2017	Souderton Borough Council voted on Conditional Use Application	The Council approved the Conditional Use Application, subject to a number of conditions. A copy of the Council’s resolution can be found here.
April 24, 2017	SASD Administrators conducted an on-site visit at SCSC	Members of the SCSC Board, Administration, and teaching staff conducted a tour of their facility for SASD Administrators. The SCSC representatives shared details regarding the schools' instructional programs and demographics, and provided supporting documentation to the District.
June 13, 2017	Exploration of joint health insurance was conducted	SASD and SCSC Administrators investigated the plausibility of incorporating SCSC employees into the District's health insurance plans. The proposition was rejected due to financial and legal constraints.
December 14, 2017	SASD Administrators conducted an on-site visit at SCSC	SCSC Administrators provided the District with information and answers to questions as part of the District’s Annual Charter School Review Process
May 8, 2018	Update on SASD's Budget Related to Charter Schools	Use the following link for an update on SASD's Budget Related to Charter Schools.
May 24, 2018	More Updates on SASD's Budget Related to Charter Schools	Use the following link for more updates on SASD's Budget Related to Charter Schools.
June 12, 2018	Budget Update Regarding Charter Schools	Use the following link for a Budget Update Regarding Charter Schools.
March 1, 2019	SCSC purchased the property at 27 S. Front Street, Souderton, PA	SCSC’s stated its intent to use the property for office and meeting space.
June 11, 2019	Souderton Borough Planning Commission considered SCSC’s application to utilize the building at 27 S. Front Street for office and meeting space based upon its purported status as a philanthropic organization.	The commission approved SCSC’s application, subject to all ordinances and regulations pertaining to building renovations required for the building’s use by a public entity.
July 25, 2019	SCSC submitted its charter renewal application to the school district.	The application was considered by the SASD Board at its December 2019 action meeting.
December 19, 2019	SASD Board of Directors approved a conditional renewal of the SCSC charter for a period of 5 years effective January 19, 2020.	Use the following link to read the Board’s statement on the conditional charter renewal.
January 13, 2020	SCSC Board of Trustees passed a resolution refuting the SASD Board’s conditional charter renewal.	Use the following link to read SASD’s update on the conditional charter renewal.
January 3, 2023	Following a legal challenge between the parties, the PA Commonwealth Court ruled in favor of SCSC, thereby approving its charter renewal without conditions.	Use the following link to read the Commonwealth Court decision.