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    Cyber Charter Student Residency Verification and School Entity Residency Dispute Resolution Process

    Twice-Yearly Residency Verification

    The parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a cyber charter school must submit proof of the student’s continued residency using the Cyber Charter School Enrollment and Residency Verification Form (PDF). This documentation must be provided to both the cyber charter school and the student’s school district of residence by November 1 and March 1 of each year. In addition, a cyber charter school may request residency verification from a parent or guardian at any time.

    *The requirement to provide proof of residence does not apply to a student identified as experiencing homelessness.

    In addition to completing the Cyber Charter School Enrollment and Residency Verification Form (PDF), a parent or guardian must provide a document containing their name and address, on any of the following:

    • A current deed; 
    • A mortgage statement no more than three months old; 
    • An active residential lease agreement; 
    • A utility bill no more than three months old; 
    • An internet bill no more than three months old; 
    • A credit card bill no more than three months old; 
    • A bank statement no more than three months old; 
    • A tax bill no more than three months old; 
    • An insurance document no more than three months old; or 
    • A piece of mail sent in the past three months by the federal or state government such as benefits information, voter registration, or tax documents. 

    When a Residency Dispute Arises

    If a school district determines that a student is not a resident of the school district, the district must, within 10 days of receipt of the Cyber Charter School Enrollment and Residency Verification Form (PDF), log into the Integrated Monitoring System (IMS) to add a new dispute in the Cyber Charter Residency Dispute application. A separate dispute must be filed for each individual student whose residency is being disputed.

    When a school district files a residency dispute, the Chief School Administrator of the cyber charter school in which the student is enrolled, and any additional contacts added to the IMS application, will be notified via email and it will appear in the IMS system. Upon receipt of the notification, the cyber charter school shall, within 10 days, review and respond. This includes indicating whether you agree or disagree with the dispute and, if you disagree, uploading supporting evidence.

    If the cyber charter school disagreed with the school district’s dispute, the school district must review the cyber charter school’s response and submit the district’s response within 10 days.

    If the school district disagrees with the cyber charter school’s determination, the school district may appeal to the Department for a final determination.

    Appeals to the Department are governed by Pennsylvania’s General Rules of Administrative Practice and Procedure (GRAPP), which are published in Title 1 of the Pennsylvania Code at Chapters 31, 33 and 35.

    To file an appeal, a school district must submit a petition to the Department pursuant to GRAPP. Pursuant to 1 Pa. Code, Chapter 35, the appeal must be served upon the relevant cyber charter school and must in writing, state clearly and concisely the grounds of interest of the petitioner in the subject matter, the facts relied upon and the relief sought and shall cite by appropriate reference the statutory provision or other authority relied upon for relief. A school district’s appeal should be directed to the Secretary of Education at: 

    Pennsylvania Department of Education
    Office of the Secretary
    607 South Drive, 3rd Floor
    Harrisburg, PA  17120-0600

    Email: RA-EDCyberResidency@pa.gov

    The Department’s determination shall be subject to review by the Commonwealth Court.

    School districts are encouraged to consult their solicitors related to the filing of an appeal.

    Status During the Review

    While the residency review is ongoing, instruction of the student must continue uninterrupted, and the purported school district of residence must continue to make payments to the cyber charter school.

    Recordkeeping Requirements

    Cyber charter schools should retain documentation related to residency in accordance with their established record retention policies.