Pa. Charter School Backer Opposes Philadelphia's Limits

There's a court hearing today on a challenge to the Philadelphia School District's practice of capping enrollment at charter schools.   And an influential lawmaker is weighing in.

State senator Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin County, in photo), one of the main authors of Pennsylvania's charter school law, says he never intended that individual school districts would be able to limit the number of slots in charter schools:

"It's fairly explicit in the law.  I mean, I don't really understand how Philadelphia gets around it, except that they put language to that effect in their charter when they issue it."

Piccola has filed a brief with Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, siding the with Walter D. Palmer Charter School.  The Palmer school is suing the Philadelphia School District for $1.7 million it says it is owed for students above the limit of 675 set in its charter.

Commonwealth Court today hears arguments on the school's request to block a state education department hearing on the issue scheduled for tomorrow.

The School District's chief counsel, through a spokesman, declined to comment.

Reported by Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio