Commonwealth Court Order Reinstates Transportation for Whitehall-Coplay Charter School Students
HARRISBURG, Pa. — October 2, 2026 — The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania has approved an agreement requiring the Whitehall-Coplay School District (“the District”) to reinstate district transportation for students ages 12 and older who reside in the District and attend charter schools. The district had been providing its own students yellow bus service, while forcing charter students to take public transit
The case began after the District changed its transportation policy and required certain charter-school students ages 12 and older to use public transportation provided through the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA).
The petitioners filed their Petition for Review on September 9, 2026.
Under the Court’s October 1, 2026 Order in Executive Education Academy Charter School, et al. v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Education, et al., No. 413 M.D. 2026, the Whitehall-Coplay School District must reinstate transportation no later than October 5, 2026. The District must transport eligible charter-school students in the same manner as students attending District schools, except for specialized transportation for exceptional students.
The transportation arrangement will remain in effect until a final, non-appealable order or adjudication resolves the petitioners’ claims, unless the parties agree otherwise in writing, or the Court issues a different order.
The charter-school petitioners are:
- Executive Education Academy Charter School
- Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School
- Lehigh Valley Dual Language Charter School
- Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts
- Roberto Clemente Charter School
- Seven Generations Charter School
What This Means
- The Order resolves the petitioners’ immediate request for preliminary injunctive relief while preserving the underlying legal dispute.
- The petitioners withdrew their Emergency Application for Preliminary Injunction without prejudice.
- Neither side admitted the merits of the other’s position, and the parties preserved their claims, defenses, arguments, and appellate rights.
Speaking for the petitioner schools, Amanda Cossmann, CEO of Seven Generations Charter School, said, “We are grateful to the students, families, school leaders, and legal teams who worked together throughout this process. This Order resolves the immediate transportation issue while the underlying legal case continues.”
“Our focus remains on ensuring that charter school students have safe and equitable access to their public schools,” Cossman continued. “This Order provides immediate relief for students and families who should not have to choose between attending their charter school and having unequal transportation. Restoring District transportation gives eligible students a dependable way to get to school while the broader legal issues continue to be addressed.”
“Students deserve equal and safe access to their education,” added Susan Mauser, CEO of Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School. “The Court-approved agreement reinstates transportation for eligible Whitehall-Coplay students and provides important stability for families during the ongoing proceedings.”
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Ken Kilpatrick
Sylvia Marketing & Public Relations