Decision on York City schools’ future expected next month

(York) — An embattled midstate school district is about a month away from finding out whether it will switch to a new format for the next academic year.

Both of the main proposals being evaluated by a York City School District advisory committee hinge on being able to lure students back to the district.

One option being considered is to convert all schools to charters, a move the financial advisory firm the PFM Group says would lead to the furlough of most of the district’s teachers. It says payments to new charter operators could also be reduced.

Another plan is to significantly reform the district by expanding pre-kindergarten and magnate programs, which would require more teachers, but slash their benefits.

The city schools’ state-appointed chief recovery officer, David Meckley, says neither proposal shows a sizable financial advantage over the other, and both are under consideration.

He says either one would be most successful by keeping a majority of the district’s 6,000 students enrolled in schools tied to York City.

PFM has already contracted a firm to gauge interest among potential charter school operators in setting up shop in the district.

Meckley says any new charter school operators would be subject to performance clauses to monitor student achievement, but current charters aren’t.

A final recommendation is expected May 15th.