NC public schools must pay millions more to charter schools.

[madfloridian]

Apparently the public school system undercounted how much they were supposed to give the charter schools from the taxpayer money....so the charter schools sued. They won.

Another way to get public money into the charter school CMOs. Sue the public schools.

North Carolina public schools may owe millions to charter schools

N.C. public school leaders are reworking their budgets after a court ruling that could force them to pay charter schools millions of dollars.

The state Supreme Court this month refused to review an appeals court ruling that said the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system undercounted how much it owed charter schools. School districts with charter schools are supposed to pass along a per-student share of local education money to the independent public schools.

"The money that is going to be taken from them should have gone to the charter schools in the first place," said Richard Vinroot, the lawyer who represented five charter schools that successfully sued the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system. The former Charlotte mayor and Republican candidate for governor sits on the board of a charter school, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported.

Now other school districts are considering action.

Now other school districts across the state are examining how closely they followed Charlotte-Mecklenburg's practices and how much more money they will have to provide charter schools.

Wake County might have to provide its 13 charter schools an extra $1 million a year. Durham County's seven charter schools account for about 10 percent of the county's student population.

Oh, well, what's a mere few million from public school coffers. It's only public money, after all.

A little more on the NC public and charter schools.

N.C. school boards may owe charter schools millions

Lawson said he and other school officials still have concerns about the court's ruling.
"There has been discussion that charters are entitled to a portion of all funds that run through local — not just county funds. If that is indeed the case, then additional funds would be due. I don't know that anyone has a definitive answer on this at this point."

The N.C. Supreme Court decision does not affect a separate lawsuit filed in September against seven school districts seeking local money for buildings, new buses and equipment.

Charter schools have open enrollment and don't charge tuition. They are run by private boards and are exempt from many rules imposed on traditional public schools, giving them more flexibility to test learning techniques or focus programs on at-risk children. North Carolina limits the number of charter schools in the state to 100 in operation at any time.

I am sure that just as much progress will be demanded from the public school districts..and no excuses will be allowed to be given in spite of the money that is going elsewhere.

Not to forget the other lawsuits that are going on. I do not know the outcome of these yet.

Lawsuits begin. GA public schools sue over charter funding. AZ charters to sue the state.

$850,000 went to Ivy Preparatory Academy of Norcross

Gwinnett County Public Schools is planning to make good on its threat to sue the state for taking funds away from its students.

A lawsuit is expected to be filed in Fulton County Superior Court Friday barring the Georgia Department of Education from reallocating money meant for Gwinnett to the coffers of a cash-strapped charter school. The suit also will challenge the constitutionality of the Georgia Charter Schools Commission, the state’s newest charter authorizer.

Gwinnett Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks said the district is suing the state because it had to take a bold stand to preserve the quality of public education for its 160,000 students.

And Arizona Charters are suing the public schools:

Here's an early shot across the bow. The Arizona Charter Schools Association sent an email addressed to "Charter School Leaders" about a lawsuit it will be filing next week. The lawsuit focuses on student equity within Arizona's system of education finance and will seek declaratory relief that the method for financing public education in public schools violates the Arizona Constitution. The plaintiffs are the parents of public school children (both charter and district) and they are filing on behalf of their children. Grant Woods, former Arizona Attorney General, and Tim Casey, a former partner with Snell & Wilmer and now at a smaller firm, will represent the Plaintiffs.

There are many ways to kill traditional public schools. The charter schools are now emboldened by the huge new money coming from Arne Duncan to states that allow more charter schools. It gives a legitimacy to charter schools, and it takes away both money and respect from the public school system that helped grow our country.

[G_j]

1. with all the teacher layoffs here

this is sad news indeed

[valerief]

2. I read about charter schools in Wikipedia, but I really don't understand the

concept. It wasn't clear what types of 'rules, regulation, and statutes' they don't need to comply with. Also what is the true intended (not lip service) benefit of these schools? Who really benefits? Is it a way to create for-profit schools with public funds?

[madfloridian]

8. Your last sentence is the true one.

"Is it a way to create for-profit schools with public funds?"

Yes, it is.

[valerief]

9. Well, then, now they make sense. Another money syphon. nt

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. Varies heavily from state to state

I used to look at charters as possibilities centers to meet needs and interests the public schools could not. While that potential is still there, in practice most are pseudo private school which can be selective about who they take running on public money. I give the language immersion schools and other experimental models a bit more leeway...

[valerief]

14. "meet needs and interests the public schools could not"

What kinds of needs and interests? Isn't that just BS so they can syphon money?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

15. Charters were supposed to be in part educational laboratories where different approaches,

even radical ones, could be tried and evaluated. Teachers would be drawn to that environment due to interest in the approach, the challenge etc. Great ideas and concepts actually, but they lost much of their promise in implementation. Unions were squashed, the teachers screwed, for profit companies jumped in, and in practice most curriculum and approaches ended pretty much the same. In other words a lot of wasted opportunity and a net loss to public education.

IMO immersion schools (controversial) and other experimental models have some legitimacy as charters. Special interest schools may work there, including ones for GLBT students who are basically targets in many regular schools. There has been some success for single gender schools particularly for at risk male youth (also controversial).

Charters were supposed to be in part educational laboratories where different approaches, even radical ones, could be used and evaluated. Instead, many (not all) are mini private schools with public funds, and in my opinion do not fit the original charter vision and should not exist.

The goal was laudable, the implementation an epic fail. Its a shame, but its time for most of them to go.

[valerief]

17. I don't understand why these ed labs couldn't be incorporated within the existing

public school system.

Still seems like a scam right from the get-go.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

19. The rigid public school model does not support specialties and experiments well.

The original ideas for charters came from within the public education community. Educators who wanted to do better by stepping outside some of the standard system. A good example is immersion schools.

[madfloridian]

29. They are experimenting with taxpayer money without much regulation.

Oh, wait, didn't we go down that road in the financial sector?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

50. What part of "the charter movement started within the education" did you not realize

It was a promising concept, that was taken over by the right wing. As

Public education could do with some voluntary experimentation and responsible exploration of different paradigms would be a good thing. Unfortunately those who took over charter schools are also those demanding extensive testing. A different approach might mean some achievement levels would get met on different time lines and some of the benefits might not be measured at all (think elementary school immersion programs).

Again, what was a good concept for educational experimentation was taken over, subsumed if you will, by the anti public school nuts. Next time, lets not let them do that.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

54. Mispost

[valerief]

64. If they can make laws to create charters they can make laws to change the public school system to

allow ed labs.

[waiting for hope]

78. +1 zillion ...

[ProgressiveProfessor]

95. You would think so, but between all the rice bowls, that was never going to happen

Remember, educators started down the charter path because the public school systems were unwilling/unable to do those kind of things.

I repeat, charter schools today are not what they started out to be, and clearly have been subsumed by the right wing anti public education types.

[valerief]

106. If it can happen, it will happen. nt

[Dinger]

31. Exactly. (nt)

Good post valerif.

[hack89]

85. Public schools are resistant to change. nt

[madfloridian]

88. Teachers are not resistant to change.

It is those who control the system.

Now the goal is to test and test until the students fail, thus the teachers fail, thus the schools fail and are closed to be turned into charter schools.

[hack89]

89. In Rhode Island it is the opposite

the state education commissioner is an innovator who wants to shake things up while the the unions resist every inch of the way.

[madfloridian]

90. It depends on how one wants to "shake things up."

I hate general terms like that because Arne is shaking things up. However it is called privatization of public education. Only at DU are people so fearful of admitting that.

Sometimes things can be enhanced and improved and still remain what they are.

What is going on now is probably illegal, and for sure harmful. They are using our public taxpayer money to enhance corporations like Imagine, KIPP, and all the others.

[Odin2005]

22. Special schools for the gifted, developmentaly disabled, bad neighborhoods, etc.

[John N Morgan]

45. I don't think " bad neighborhoods" is acceptable. Support you local public school

[madfloridian]

46. Exactly. I taught in that kind of neighborhood my last few years..

before I retired. We had great teachers, few supplies, but we gave them a good education in spite of it all.

[Raineyb]

99. That's a load of crap! You do not need charter schools to set up gifted programs

or even schools in the public school system.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

26. No needs and interests. Right wingers came up with charter schools for one purpose only

to slowly wean money away from public schools until they are left high and dry. Eventually, charter schools as well would be done away. However, the most interesting thing about charter schools is that studies have shown the students who are part of them are not doing well. Out of all the charter schools perhaps one or two might be good, but the rest are trash.

Same Republican lies.

Is there anything good about Republicans? Anything Republicans offer for the public good?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

51. Actually they didn't. Educators did, but it got taken over by the right wingers

So as a practical matter, you are right. I am just pedantically pointing out the history of it.

[valerief]

65. The only interest in the public that Republicans have is in their middle syllables. nt

[hack89]

86. So why are they so popular in Massachusetts?

I didn't know they were a right wing state.

http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/search/search.aspx?leftNavId=11238

[inna]

3. between Arne and Newt... WTF is going on??

[Dinger]

32. arne, newt & rhee

Yuk!

[John N Morgan]

4. Hey MadFL are teachers in the charter schools required to meet state certifications?

[madfloridian]

5. It varies in different states. I don't think so in FL. Here's more.

http://charterteacher.com/become-a-charter-teacher/teacher-certification

"In some states, like Arizona and Texas, charter school teachers do not need state certification. In others, only a percentage of the teachers need certification. But more and more, parents are asking for certified teachers and charter schools want to ensure that they meet the needs of their parents.

State certification can be costly and a long process–usually at an estimated cost of $6,000 and taking up to 18 months to 2 years. ABCTE certification, because of our U.S. Department of Education grant, can offer full state certification for $975 in many states."

Full state certification for less than a thousand? No wonder Arne is slamming education departments in colleges. Back in my day we graduated with degrees to teach. Now they can do it however the state says.

Looking up more on Florida.

[SoCalDem]

6. Not that many years ago, substitute teachers did not even need a teaching degree , in lots of places

a woman I knew casually, made a LOT of extra money by "babysitting", as she called it.. I said I didn't know she was a teacher, and she said.. "hey I dropped out of college 22 years ago, but you don't even need a teaching certificate to sub.."..It's changed now She was on-call, and most weeks she subbed at least 2 or 3 times.

[madfloridian]

7. FL used to require an associate degree, but I think they have lowered the standards.

That was for a public school substitute. I can't find that much about charter requirements.

I believe I read they hire and fire at their discretion, but I can't find in print right now.

[knitter4democracy]

71. You don't here in Michigan. All you need is a 2yr degree.

You have to pass a background check and go through some training (mostly on bloodborne pathogens, though--the half hour training video was a joke). Most subs aren't teachers, have no background in education, and have no idea what they're doing. I just started subbing this fall (couldn't get a teaching job after nine years of being out), and word's getting around that I'm an actual teacher. I mostly sub in the alternative schools and am waiting on the funding for a job in one of those. I tend to take the harder spots because I know I can.

[dysfunctional press]

100. in illinois, all you need is a college degree of any kind.

no teacher training or experience required.

[SoCalDem]

105. The daughter of a friend of mine has been yanked around royally

Last June, she was told that she was laid off, so she cleared out her classroom , said her goodbyes, and went home to sulk:)

In August they called her and said.. "we want you back..same classroom "..so she put all her stuff back, and welcomed her students in the fall..then in November she and 3 other teachers got laid off again..:grr:

and the sad part? That school offered her and one of the other laid-off teachers an opportunity to SUBSTITUTE teach. why? because they told her they were SHORT teachers..:grr:

She called the union, but I haven't heard what the final outcome was.

[Catshrink]

10. How much oversight will/do the states exercise on charters?

Here in Arizona, one charter school director was paying himself over $300,000 while the superintendent of the largest public school district in the states makes about $150k. That particular charter company had 3 campuses which were all relatively small. Let's see Arne address the issue of executive pay as effectively as Geitner has. Oh right.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

11. The charter schools need to be done away with - they're a disastrous piece of crap

And they steal money from our public school system

[ProgressiveProfessor]

16. They had a lot of promise originally, but in implentation they were rendered useless at best, tools

of the right wing and others at worst.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

25. They are tools of the right wing, and their intent is the same intent they always have

To destroy public schools. Anything that will hurt the middle class and poor, they're in favor of.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

49. I agree they are now, but that was not the original concept

[Sarah Ibarruri]

53. Maybe not, but Republicans are geniuses at taking anything and turning it into something damaging

They did the same thing with homeschooling. At one time it was a good idea, and then the Bible-banging nutjobs got hold of it and now it's way for evangelicals to put brainwashed kids out there.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

55. I'll agree with that with some minor exceptions to absolutisms

There are some home schooling situations that are not xtian fundies, justified, and work well. Some of the charter schools, like immersions, & GLBTs are not RW havens either.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

57. There are a few - my sister does homeschooling. However, by and large,

the majority of homeschoolers in the U.S. are militant evangelical Bible nutjobs.

[Odin2005]

21. Ah, I see the 2-minute hate against charter schools is back.

:puke:

[madfloridian]

28. You are making a habit of saying that to me.

I mostly ignore unless you vomit.

[Odin2005]

38. Because you keep pushing anti-charter school hysteria.

Most charter schools basically independent public schools without a school district. I get the feeling that this is becoming a institutional turf battle between regular schools and charter schools wrapped up in ideological babble to cover for self-interest.

[MadHound]

41. Independent "public" schools that aren't required to measure up to the same standards

As public schools, yet continue to suck down the publics' money for private profit.

I think that you've stretched the term "basically" beyond the breaking point with your analogy.

[hack89]

87. Not in Massachusetts

Same standards, strict accountability - excellent educations. Embraced in a very Democratic, highly educated state.

http://www.doe.mass.edu/charter/acct.html

http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/search/search.aspx?leftNavId=11238

[John N Morgan]

42. Charter Schools are a experiments using real children; with lower standards and accountability

Here's the real experiment: Given the same requirements as a public school, can they produce better results?

Until then the money should not be based on per child.

The public schools in the US are a known commodity. They were the envy of the world until Reagan instilled the idea that public schools were losers.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

52. Not really....the real experimenters were tossed out years ago.

They were supposed to be leading edge and specialized. That was all dumped when the right wing moved in.

[madfloridian]

47. I think you need to do some research of your own.

You are right, the battle is in full force now to dismantle public education so profits can be made and curriculum can be controlled by private and religious interests.

I do NOT appreciate the word "hysteria" being used in connection with my name. It is a personal attack on me.

[Hannah Bell]

60. no, she keeps posting articles about the transfer of public resources to charter schools.

facts, in other words.

[knitter4democracy]

72. Moreover, they do a major disservice to the students.

The governor here is planning on revoking the charters of something like 120 charter schools (we'll see if it actually happens) because of poor performance.

The experience I've had with them is that they tend to be run by people who don't have the faintest clue what they're doing, hire teachers who are so desperate for teaching jobs that they'll do anything (including clean and repair their own classrooms to save the school money on maintenance staff), and have lower test scores for it.

[pscot]

12. That really sucks

Charter schools are just another raid on the public treasury by big business and organized religion.

[Nikki Stone1]

18. Piratization leads to incredible waste.

Watch the buildings crumble and the teachers be laid off. Meanwhile, the charters take more and more for doing nothing but providing substandard curricula and pocketing profit.

[The Backlash Cometh]

20. There is something very wrong here.

[defendandprotect]

23. This is disgusting and we need to stop it --

[NYC_SKP]

24. Lets' be clear. These are NOT private schools, they are public charters. They deserve their ADA.

That's how they're funded.

I'm afraid readers will think that private schools are getting public money, which is not the case here.

If my make-believe son goes from a mainstream public high school to a public charter school, you bet that money needs to go with him.

After all, the public school has one less student and the charter has one more student.

From your first link:

Charter schools have open enrollment and don't charge tuition. But they are run by private boards and are exempt from many rules imposed on traditional public schools, giving them more flexibility to test learning techniques or focus programs on at-risk children. Only 100 charter schools are allowed to operate in North Carolina at any time.

Now, things vary from state to state, but the charters I work with in California are open enrollment and are very well overseen.

:patriot:

[madfloridian]

27. We have discussed this before. It is my taxes funding these schools

that are nearly always run by private companies that do NOT answer to me.

You have a right to love the concept, but I think it is destroying real honest education....and I will continue to post about it.

[NYC_SKP]

33. Well, for that matter I HAVE NO KIDS and I want my funds to go to Public AND to Public Charters!

But not to private schools.

I think our disagreement has remained mature, if not productive.

I still think things are a lot different in Florida, and we have to be careful how far we apply problems in one state to other states.

:thumbsup:

[MattBaggins]

34. Define Public

[NYC_SKP]

35. OK. Here's Utah, Colorado, and Ohio cases for example.

BTW, Public Charter Schools operate much like one-school school districts.

They are publicly funded by the same mechanisms as traditional public schools, based on attendance.

That they have slightly different criteria of performance does not make them bad. Some of the criteria are stupid and should be abolished or changed.

Colorado: http://www.denverventureschool.org/about.php

Ohio: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/november2009/ariss_event_2011.htm

Utah:

Utah State Office of Education

US Dept of Education, Public Charter Schools Program

Other Charter School Information Sites
US Charter Schools
Charter Friends
Charter Schools USA

Charter School related FAQs

What is a charter school?

A charter school is a different kind of public school that is funded by the state, but which is not part of a regular school district and instead functions as an independent public school. Charter schools are subject to the same laws and regulations as other public schools, conforming to laws regarding religion in schools, school fees, civil rights, annual reports, and health and safety regulations.

May a charter school limit its enrollment to certain students?
No. A charter school is part of the public education system and so must be open to all students, without discrimination, on the same basis as other public schools. If the number of students applying to enroll in a charter school exceeds the capacity of the school or of programs, classes, or grade levels within the school, then those students to be admitted are chosen at random (via lottery) from among the applicants. There are two exceptions to this rule:

Students whose parents were actively involved in the development of the charter school
Students who have a brother or sister currently attending the charter school.
Are charter schools subject to the same regulations as other public schools?
As a general rule, yes. Laws and regulations relating to religion in the schools, school fees and tuition, health and safety, civil rights, annual reports, prohibitions against advocacy of unlawful behavior, screening of potential employees or volunteers for competency and fitness, and most other matters are the same for both charter schools and other public schools. The State Board may waive any of its rules for a charter school or other public school, if the school applies for a waiver and the State Board finds that the waiver would not violate applicable law or cause harm to students or the school.
A charter school is exempt from existing negotiated agreements relating to the hiring, employment, and dismissal of employees. A charter school’s governing body may determine the level of compensation and the terms and conditions of employment for its employees. Charter schools may only employ educators who hold valid teaching certificates or who meet State Board requirements for alternative certification or authorization.

How are charter schools held accountable for what they do?

A charter school must make the same annual reports as other public schools, including an annual financial audit and monthly budget report. Additionally, charter schools must participate in statewide testing programs. Charter schools submit all reports to the Utah State Board of Education.
How are charter schools financed?
Charter schools are funded on the principle that allocated state funds should follow the student. A charter school may not charge tuition or require (though they may request) that students or parents make donations. Charter schools are subject to the same rules regarding school fees and fee-for-service programs as other public schools.

Allocated state funds are distributed (under the Minimum School Program Act) on a Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) basis that takes into account both total enrollment and attendance. In addition, the legislature appropriates funds each year to replace some of the local property tax revenues that are not available to charter schools. Charter schools may also apply for state and federal start-up funds and specialized funds if qualifying students are served in approved programs.

http://www.venturelearning.org/charterschoolinformation.php

:patriot:

[Odin2005]

36. Oh, quit being reasonable!

Real Progressives (TM) just KNOW charter schools are a big conspiracy! Quit bothering them with facts. :sarcasm:

[NYC_SKP]

37. What's funny is...

My links in the post above are FROM A CHARTER SCHOOL!!111!!

Now, how are we supposed to trust THAT Propaganda??!! :sarcasm:

:toast:

[Odin2005]

39. This hysteria is really getting to me.

It reminds me of the Death Panel BS on the right, it's the same kind of nonsense.

[madfloridian]

56. Your use of the word hysteria so often in my threads is upsetting.

Your comparison of my concern to the death panels is very insulting.

They are dismantling public schools right out in the open, and you are defending it. You are ridiculing those of us who are speaking up.

[John N Morgan]

58. This in lieu of a private message: Charter Schools using public money is union busting

In FL, a right to work state, we have very few unions. FLEA is one. But nation wide the union busting goals are in full swing. Strapping the public schools with requirements that cannot be met and not the charters makes the case. The business colleges (Ivy league particularly) are 4-6 year indoctrination centers for anti-government/union and pro privatization thinking. We are out "framed" by design.

It's a topic if you're interested. I have position papers to write on everything from abortion to home owner's insurance. Home owners insurance situation (as close as I can tell) is subsidy to the comfortable ocean front condo owners. The state mandates artificially low rates on those buildings to boost the value.

[inna]

75. Odin, your personal attacks are really low and deplorable,

and your borderline-abusive behavior reprehensible. Please, get a grip and have some (self, in the first place) respect.

Thank you.

[madfloridian]

79. I appreciate your comment.

There is no need for calling it hysterical to stand up for public education.

Thanks.

:-)

[Jakes Progress]

40. Pretty clever to point out the dumbness of your own cite

and then sarcasm it.

[NYC_SKP]

44. Feel free to provide your own links that answer the question to which I replied.

Define public as it applies to public charter schools.

[Jakes Progress]

73. We could trade links.

Do you doubt that there are multiple sites that will show that charter schools are corporate driven.

I don't doubt that you can locate multiple sites that claim them to be the saving grace and most democratic form of education.

The difference is in the sources. Using a site put up by a charter school to prove how they support public schools is like using a site from Exxon to prove that oil companies are trying to save the planet. My experience is that the very best charters (and in my experience that would be less than five per cent) do a good job of educating the students that end up there. They suck up the will of concerned parents who feel lucky that their kids got there and either jump on the band wagon or just keep their mouths shut. Besides the money and attention, these schools are a diversion from the needs that exist in public education. Needs that have grown since reagan's ed czar, bill bennet, proclaimed them as education's best hope. Beginning with that bastion of neocon philosophy, schools have had their best and brightest demoralized by tests, siphoned off into elite charters, or just driven from the field by the very successful campaign of the neocons to destroy public education's reputation.

As DU'ers champion the expansion of the charter program, they might look around them to see who is in the crowd with them cheering. Chanting along with the likes of newt and grover and bennet and the host of neocon elite ought to give a progressive cause to re-examine his or her position.

[NYC_SKP]

80. I sit on school board meetings for public schools and for public charter schools.

The OP knows of some private charter schools and mixes them up and bashes all charter schools.

There are indeed some fucked up things going on, but not charter schools are evil like that.

It's not fair to the charter schools that do a good job.

:patriot:

[Jakes Progress]

82. Read my post.

I said that I was aware of some charters that were doing a good job of educating students. I have a more than casual awareness of the charter system in all its manifestations by way of being in them and working with them and training teachers and evaluating programs for both local and state agencies.

The problem with charter schools is that they are not a solution. They are a way to avoid solving the problem. They provide a release valve for anxious parents and worried school boards, by giving the parents an out for their children and by giving school boards something to point to. If you serve on your school board and have a successful charter school in your district, has the district mandated the programs of the charter school for all children? If now, what is the purpose of the school?

I guess the problem is local vs global. You say that the OP is not fair to the charter schools that do a good job. You have sympathy for the charters that work. I feel sympathy for the millions of children whose chances at a better education are thwarted by the time, interest, money, and attention syphoned off by the very, very few charters that do a good job with a very, very small number of children.

Again. I know some charters are good schools. I know some that were begun by really talented teachers who want the best for the children in their care. Even that is a problem for me because those schools suck up dedicated teachers and use them on a small number of students. Then the lessons that they might have to teach are ignored by the system which won't commit the money, personnel, and attention needed to implement decent programs district wide.

The other problem with charters is that they are a flash point for the right to use to disparage public schools. If we need charters, then the system must be terrible and must need saving by corporate interests. It is a slippery slope where a few lucky kids get to ride a sled, but it leads to a bottom for them and for the children just bounced down the hill. At the bottom of that hill is Dow Elementary, Exxon Middle School Academy, and AIG High. Go AHS Arbitrageurs!!!

[madfloridian]

48. That is a biased source. A charter school.

Of course they will say they are just like public schools. It is a dangerous move to open the door to them and take tax money and give it to companies like KIPP, Imagine, et al.

[Hannah Bell]

103. colorado:

11/09

Courtesy Pueblo Chieftain

Lawrence Hernandez has lived well off his schools, making more than $260,000 a year at last report...

Robert Vise, PCS executive director of assessment and technology, says he stumbled upon some eyebrow-raising information regarding the 2008 Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) test scores at Pueblo's Cesar Chavez Academy. According to data Vise received from the state, more than 60 percent of the Academy's 684 third- through eighth-grade students were given special accommodations for the test, such as extra time to complete it. These accommodations normally are afforded only to children with established physical or developmental disabilities.

All 220 students in fourth and fifth grades were given special accommodations in the test's reading portion, Vise says, and all but two also received special accommodations on the math portion.

"I've never had a whole grade level at a school have accommodations," Vise says.

The figures were jarring, particularly because Vise's own records suggested a small fraction of the children had qualifying disabilities, and a significant number were actually classified as being "gifted."

http://www.csindy.com/colorado/leader-or-cheater/Content?oid=1367318
Vise delivered the information to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), which informed him it didn't have an investigative division to pursue the issue. It transferred his documentation to two CDE staffers, but no one at the state ever followed up. Last week a CDE spokesman said the department had no information about alleged testing inconsistencies in the Chavez network.

Colorado State Board of Education member Peggy Littleton says the state does its best to make sure tests are honest and accurate, but it's up to school districts to investigate any scandals.

John Brainard apparently tried that once. In 2005, Brainard, then the Pueblo district's director of assessment and research, documented four phone calls from concerned parents of CCA third-graders, all relating the same story: Their children said CCA staff had brought them into a "CSAP review" following the test, and encouraged them to change some answers.

Along with staff from CTB-McGraw-Hill, CSAP's creators, Brainard was allowed to examine written answers on CSAP reading tests for Chavez's third-graders. Although no one ever accused the Chavez kids of cheating, significant erasures or changes were found in 62 percent of the tests, and some new answers appeared to be done in different handwriting.

Despite the evidence, the test results were never revised. Brainard's requests to talk to more parents and kids were thwarted when Hernandez intervened, telling families he would be the sole contact on the inquiry, according to a report Brainard wrote. Hernandez apparently agreed to answer Brainard's questions, according to Brainard's documentation, then never responded. Time passed and the test results were certified.

More than NYC money

In fiscal year 2007-2008, Hernandez brought home $220,629 in salary plus a $41,103 benefit package. His wife, Annette, who serves as chief operating officer, made $107,457 plus a $27,369 benefit package. Chief financial officer Jason Guerrero made $212,569 plus $35,228 in benefits. All of that to run a five-school network that had 2,171 students in 2008.

Departing Pueblo City Schools superintendent John Covington, who manages 36 schools and about 18,504 students, makes $185,710 with $9,600 in benefits. Colorado Springs School District 11's new superintendent, Nicholas Gledich, oversees 59 schools and his base salary is $180,000.

Then there's Joel Kline, chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, the nation's largest school district. Kline oversees more than 1,500 schools, 1.1 million students, 136,000 employees, and a $21 billion operating budget. He's salaried at $250,000 a year, less than the value of Hernandez's annual package.

Recently, an anonymous letter to media outlets accused the Chavez network of cutting benefits and bonuses to staff, as well as forcing staff to take furloughs without pay, to forgo raises and to attend a mandatory training meeting without pay.

Calls to Cesar Chavez seeking comment were not returned. In the May 29 Pueblo Chieftain, Hernandez confirmed employee pay cuts and not paying attendees at a mandatory meeting. Hernandez said top administrators, including himself and his wife, were also taking cuts. He defended his salary, saying it was set by the network's board and adding, "What I've been through the last nine years, there is no amount of salary that can compensate for that."

Of course, a bonus might help. And in 2008, Chavez paid nearly $150,000 in bonuses. Hernandez got $22,278.90. His wife received $12,154. Guerrero got $25,620.74. Most staff members received $3,000 or less, if they got a bonus at all.

Other conflicts

Hernandez has money for other needs. Like handing out gift cards and conducting raffles for cars to lure more students into his Pueblo schools before the state student head count that determines state funding to schools. He did that last year ("Life takes Visa," News, Dec. 11).

Appalled, Rep. Michael Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs, pushed through a law banning such incentives in public schools.

"It'll basically prevent any public school from bribing kids to come to their school," Merrifield says.

Hernandez also had enough dough in his wallet to sue PCS and a community group that opposed him. In one of his most publicized legal actions, Hernandez sued Pueblo City Schools and the Colorado Department of Education five years ago, accusing them of underfunding Dolores Huerta, and demanding $900,000 for a building. In April, the Colorado Court of Appeals decided in favor of PCS and CDE. Hernandez's attorney apparently plans to appeal. PCS has spent $31,745.80 defending itself in the case.

Hernandez also filed suit against members of a Pueblo community group in 2005. The group questioned Hernandez's business practices, including hiring family members. After many delays, and settlements by all but one defendant, that case will be heard in the fall.

[Hannah Bell]

61. private schools *are* getting public money.

[noamnety]

102. Thank you.

The headline should have read that some public schools were short changed their state mandated funding allotment. Other public schools are pissed that they aren't getting to keep a disproportionate share of the tax dollars.

[Dinger]

30. Predatory

My hope for the future comes with a change from arne duncan't.

[LWolf]

43. Another step in the Obama/Duncan war on public education. nt

[madfloridian]

59. The power to demolish homes in Durham, NC?

Now that is power that public school districts have in Florida, but I sure do hate to think of charters getting that power.

Durham charter school applies for permits to demolish homes

Durham, N.C. — A Durham charter school has completed the application process for permits to knock down two homes in the city's Morehead Hills neighborhood. City leaders said demolition of the properties, at 804 and 806 Jackson St., could begin when the permits are issued – as soon as next week.

Healthy Start Academy, at 807 West Chapel Hill St., has been at odds with Preservation Durham over the plan.

Liz Morey, executive director of Healthy Start Academy, said the academy’s 330 students need more space to play outside and that the homes, which are in an historic neighborhood, are not themselves historic properties.

Preservation Durham wants the homes saved.

[madfloridian]

66. Should charter schools have eminent domain power like public schools do?

My feeling is that no neighborhood would be safe unless they were a very wealthy one.

[Dinger]

76. Damn Good Question,

As always. :)

[madfloridian]

77. In our county the school board has total power.

I had to work with the city about just such a situation. They admitted they had no real control over the school board.

Now put charter schools into the mix, and no home is safe.

[fascisthunter]

62. one day, those without money will not be able to educate their kids

we will have a caste system in place like all other third world nations. Good luck keeping the poor in line, because you will fail. A third World you upper-crust want, a third world you will get, stupid greedy bastards.

[goclark]

63. The tip of the iceberg

The Los Angeles School District just cut all their teachers/ other employees 12% starting sometime soon.

[BrklynLiberal]

67. You cannot convince me that there is not a plot to destroy public education!!!

[waiting for hope]

68. I live in New Hanover County -

and have yet to hear a peep about any lawsuits here, but this is scary shit. They had to dip into the school lottery funds:

Gov. Perdue, to effectively balance the budget, your administration moved funds from the lottery system surplus which was earmarked for North Carolina schools. How does your administration plan on putting the money back and what implication does your administration foresee with the recent judgment of moving funds from voter approved expenditures such as the lottery system? – Ralph Davis, Raleigh

When the national recession created a shortfall of billions of dollars, I had to turn over every stone to pay North Carolina’s bills – to pay teachers, to keep schools and other core services running. It’s my constitutional obligation as governor to balance the state budget.

We repaid the lottery funds in full several months ago, a promise I made when we were forced to use the lottery funds. As a result, North Carolina public schools received $37.6 million in repaid lottery funds at the beginning of the school year.

I disagree with the judge’s ruling about the governor’s ability to take steps to keep a balanced state budget, and I plan to appeal the decision. Balancing the budget is my constitutional obligation, and I must have the tools to do so.

Recently, the state’s AAA bond rating – the highest rating possible – was reaffirmed by the three rating agencies, and North Carolina is one of only seven states to hold that rating. Strong and effective budget management are critical to keeping that highest rating, which saves taxpayer money by keeping North Carolina’s interest rates low.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/6207572/

But I do have a bit of hope for my state:

Special Report - September 10, 2009
North Carolina’s education leaders have asked the Obama Administration to rethink its emphasis on charter schools in making determinations for the distribution of federal funds for innovations and accountability in education. In a letter dated August 27, State School Superintendent Dr. June Atkinson and State Board of Education Chairman Dr. Bill Harrison joined representatives from the NC Association of Educators, NC Parent Teach Association, NC School Boards Association, and NC Association of School Administrators to ask Education Secretary Arne Duncan to reconsider putting North Carolina at a disadvantage to receive a portion of $4.35 billion in Race to the Top grant funds because of the state’s cap on charter schools.

The letter was prompted by the U.S. Department of Education’s release of guidelines for applications and distribution of the funds to meet four specific goals. Those goals are to increase the quality of education standards and assessments, improve the quality of teaching, improve struggling schools, and improve the effective use of data. Both President Obama and Secretary Duncan have made clear that states without charter school laws and states that artificially limit charter schools will be placed at a clear “competitive disadvantage” to receive the funds.

The letter from N.C.’s education leaders urged “broader flexibility and latitude” for states to determine classroom innovations to meet the four goals of the Administration’s Race to the Top project. Atkinson, Harrison, and the others accused the administration of preventing states from developing other effective models of innovation by focusing on charter schools caps, which they argue is “a very narrow way to look at innovative options for successful schools.” They see charter schools as one of many innovations and argue that North Carolina’s emphasis on small school redesign, Early Colleges, NC Virtual Public School, and magnet schools are better suited to the educational needs of the state than are charter schools. Their letter contends that holding charter schools as a barometer for innovation “will limit NC’s ability to move forward aggressively pursuing these and other opportunities for local schools that work for every child.” According to the letter, North Carolina’s cap is important because it holds “charters to high standards and accountability so those not reaching improved student achievement are closed so that others may open.” The letter went on to contend that, “Capping or not capping is not the issue; the issue is whether or not the charters and other schools are making progress to improve learning for all students.”

~Snip~

“President Obama and Secretary Duncan are wise to emphasize the important role of charter schools in providing quality education nationwide,” said Bill Brooks, president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council. “North Carolina’s education establishment, however, cannot conceal its disdain for both the success of charter schools in the state, and the demand for more charter schools among parents. The artificial cap has severely limited the number of charters every year for over a decade and this should be reason enough for the legislature to have eliminated the cap years ago. Maybe the lure of tens of millions of federal dollars will finally motivate government and education leaders in North Carolina to support such a common sense change.”

http://www.ncfamily.org/stories/090910s1.html

Now, this Bill Brooks individual, is not nonpartisan at all -

"Who We Are
Founded in 1992, the North Carolina Family Policy Council is a nonpartisan, nonprofit research and education organization dedicated to the preservation of the family and traditional family values.
North Carolina Family Policy Council

[madfloridian]

69. I hope other states are asking Arne to rethink things as well.

We are getting into some scary territory very quickly. So quickly that most people can not, will not, do not understand...perhaps are just in denial.

But the forces to privatize are relentless, and they are not going to back off. I posted in GD Videos how in NYC the charters are literally moving the public schools out of the buildings. Literally.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x407780

There is big money behind the push for these charter schools. Public schools don't have resources to fight back, I fear.

[Vidar]

70. Charter schools are a plot to kill off public education & reward corruption.

[Dinger]

83. A Simple Truth

Don't piss off teachers, all I'm sayin'.

[proud2BlibKansan]

74. Same thing happened to my district, Mad!!

I'll send you some links later. I'm posting on my phone now.

[alp227]

81. Reality makes the opposite necessary.

Money-siphoning charter schools that often abuse their funds, and the anti-tax types who send their kids to elite/not-so-great private schools owe the public ones a HUGE chunk of cash for victimizing them for so long! Unfortunately, we might need to repeal No Child Left Behind for that to be possible.

[hack89]

84. As long as kids are educated it's a wash afaic. nt

[madfloridian]

91. Educated how?

By schools that teach creationism? By schools that teach anti-gay and anti-women themes?

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/5151

[hack89]

92. To the same standards that public schools educate to

like how its done in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

In Rhode Island many public school systems are so bad that anything would be better. And it is not a matter of money - the worst schools in RI have the highest per student spending. The public education system has no one but themselves to blame for the popularity of charter schools - at some point parents will give up and look some where else to educate their kids.

[madfloridian]

94. I think you need to do some research on charter schools.

A tip...do not use the charter school sites for your info. Main stream media is not covering it at all.

You apparently do not understand what is going on. Did you read my post I linked? If you believe that Christian school and the 8 Catholic schools in FL that just became charters in their words to survive...are really going to not teach their religious creed when they are keeping the same staff and teachers?

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/5151

In Florida we are bailing out 9 Christian schools from their financial problems, and they are doing it with out taxes.

If you don't think they will keep on with their religious teaching, I have swampland to sell you.

[hack89]

96. I didn't use Florida as my standard

RI and Massachusetts are two blue states with a history of support for education.

Fix Florida if you want - just don't try to tell me that Charter schools are some sort of RW christian plot to destroy public schools. There are a lot of progress Democrats in the Northeast that would vehemently disagree with you.

[madfloridian]

97. Then have your charter schools which you pay for.

But then try to find out what is being taught as they are finally turned over to CMOs.

And congrats to those states for busting the unions that teachers have built over the years.

I say good for RI and MA...and any other states that woo charter schools because of Arne's money. Good luck on that mattering for long.

[hack89]

104. Mass and RI are strong union states

There is no stronger union in RI than the teachers - they support charter schools. Same in Mass.

Florida is not America - we know what is being taught because we have stricter standards and oversight. Fix Florida if you want - don't assume that every state is as screwed up.

[MrModerate]

93. Tell me about it. In Australia, where I'm educating my children right now . . .

The government provides extensive funding to independent schools -- even though those schools charge hefty tuition fees.

This has led to a situation where the state schools are substantially underfunded vis-a-vis the private schools and hence can't attract the best teachers, administrators, or students. It's so bad that any parents with the means feel they have no choice but to send their children to the private schools because the public schools are like a scene from "Lord of the Flies," with decrepit facilities, stressed-out and underskilled teachers, and serious hooliganism among the students.

And it's just getting worse. Perhaps most scary, it inculcates in public-schooled Australian youth a "lout culture" that's going to be an increasing problem in future years.

Look to your US communities as the charter school vampires continue their program of sucking at the public jugular until the public system collapses entirely.

[madfloridian]

98. Thanks for that info. I did not realize it was happening there.

Post more about it if you would. It might be wise for us to pay attention.

[dysfunctional press]

101. everybody should just do what my wife and i did about it....

choose not to have children.

[Swamp Rat]

107. Charter schools = the destruction of public education and the dumbing-down of America