A dramatic rise in cyber charter school enrollment statewide has awakened the public school leviathan that angrily resists competition for taxpayer support.

Never mind that by one estimate, cyber schools saved taxpayers more than $146 million in 2005-06. The thinking in Harrisburg is that the cyber school contagion must be contained.

Pending legislation in the Pennsylvania Legislature would cap tuition payments from school districts at $5,000 per pupil (in cybers that enroll 1,000 or fewer students) to $3,000 per pupil (in schools that have 5,000 students or more).

Another proposal would allow school districts to eliminate cyber school funding if they establish their own in-house programs. It's argued the plan still enables parental choice -- so long as parents choose the school district program.

Isn't it curious how government is eager to cut off outside competition -- cyber schools draw about $74 million statewide -- but does nothing to rein in public schools' spending.

And consider where the public school money goes. A Commonwealth Foundation analysis found that over the last decade, school districts' spending on construction and debt rose 103 percent. Even when districts have more money to spend, they spend it on bricks and mortar, not childhood learning.

Cyber school reformers argue their intent is to protect taxpayers. What they're preserving is public school bloat.