‘A Tax Dollar More’ film screening invites dialogue between legislators, charter school leaders
State legislators in Harrisburg will screen a short film produced by two Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School media art students.
The private legislative reception and screening of “A Tax Dollar More,” will take place Monday, January 22 at 5:30 p.m.
The 19-minute film created and produced by media art students, Danielle Bain and Aidan Karstadt, depicts how high-performing charter schools can change lives.
Under the guidance of artist in residence Zac Cageo, Bain wrote, directed, and produced the 19-minute film and Aidan shot and edited it. The film also includes an original score by LPPACS Artistic Director, Todd Goodman.
Focusing on the students of LPPACS and the political challenges they face as part of today’s charter school movement, the film also featured an interview with former state Sen. Jeff Piccola, who championed the original 1997 Charter School Law, and plans to attend.
“A Tax Dollar More” will be viewed by state lawmakers at a time when the legislature is once again debating charter school reform.
Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools and Philadelphia School Advocacy Partners (PSAP) are hosting the screening. Members of the House and Senate leadership, education committees and appropriations committees are invited, along with state charter school administrators and board members.
Ana Meyers, executive director of PCPCS, said the screening and reception gives legislators and charter school leaders a chance to create a dialogue and build relationships.
“It’s an opportunity to show key members of the general assembly what high-performing charter schools can do,” Meyers said. “It’s a great film that shows that high-performing charter schools can save lives. The Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School is a perfect example, and this film showcases that.”
The film was selected to be screened over the summer at the annual 2017 The New York Film and TV Festival in July after going up against hundreds of films created by students and professionals.
The Shot for Shot Student Film Festival at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh also selected “A Tax Dollar More” for its event last spring. It was the first film produced by high school students to ever receive the honor.
