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News & Information
PCCS President Lawrence Jones, Jr. Issues Statement On The Pa Senate's Passage Of Legislation To Protect Public Charter Schools' Tax Exempt Status
Posted June 11, 2009
PHILADELPHIA - The Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter Schools (PCCS) applauds the State Senate's passage of SB 687, legislation to protect the tax-exempt status of public charter schools. SB 687 was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9), and now goes to the State House of Representatives for consideration.
SB 687 is common sense legislation that reinforces the fact that Pennsylvania's charter schools are what they are: public schools. As public schools, charter schools are clearly exempt from real estate tax bills. While most taxing authorities throughout the Commonwealth understand this principal, there remain a few authorities that do not. As a result, the Chester County-based Avon Grove Charter School and two other area charter schools have been forced to fight costly legal battles with funds that could otherwise have been used to educate students.
Unless the House moves quickly, the Avon Grove Charter School may be forced to close at this end of this school year. It is our hope the House will act in the best interests of Pennsylvania's charter school children by making SB 687 a priority vote.
Lawrence Jones, Jr. is president of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter Schools and CEO of the Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School located in Philadelphia, PA.
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