If the state OKs five new charter schools in Mecklenburg County, the shift of hundreds of students could force Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to revise school construction plans and pull about $2.5 million in county money from the district, according to an impact report filed by CMS.
At its Thursday meeting, the N.C. Board of Education is scheduled to discuss applications for 25 new charter schools that would open in 2013-14. Those include five in Mecklenburg and two in surrounding counties, with a total of almost 3,000 students the first year. The actual number of students coming from any given district is hard to predict because charter students can cross county lines.
State officials and an advisory panel have reviewed planning documents for the proposed charters, as well as critiques from districts that would stand to lose students. Charters are public schools run by independent nonprofit boards. They get state money and a per-pupil share of county money allocated for local school districts.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
CMS weighs in on new charters
After the state legislature lifted its longstanding 100-school cap on charters, 63 groups applied for permission to open charters next year. The Public Charter School Advisory Council has winnowed that field to 25, with the state Board of Education slated to take a final vote in September. The CMS report linked above includes some that didn't clear the advisory board.
I won't be able to go to Raleigh for the discussion, though I may try to listen in. If you want to do the same, go to the board's agenda and click the "live audiostream" link at the bottom of the page.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
13 comments:
Sorry CMS the answer to you closing schools and offering limited hope for families is Charter Schools. I for one support this movement away from your CMS/LIFT avenue. I want my kids challenged not sitting with a bunch of kids whose parents make every excuse for them their lives until they hit unemployment lines. Alert Alert CMS their is something Charters can do with less money and its not babysitting.
You mean to tell me that CMS spend time and money duplicating information that is already in the public domain for anyone interested to look at? Don't they have ANYTHING better to do?!!!
LEANDRO I & II DRIVING THE GROWTH OF CHARTERS!
The real public schools, like Wake and CMS, are under the gun to keep one step ahead of the requirements of Leandro.
The courts in Leandro said the state must provide adequate resources so that each child has the opportunity to leave the public schools with sufficient academic skills that he or she can function in society, make informed choices with regard to issues that affect the local and national community, successfully engage in postsecondary education or vocational training, and compete on an equal basis with others in further formal education or gainful employment.
That mouthful is the new burden on public school budgets.
Charter schools would have the same burden, they are public schools, but have been provided legal options that dissuade those unwilling to learn from attending. The constant complaint from large systems like CMS is that charters don’t have to play by the rules. What a great selling point for those 63 new charters!
Are charters the wave of the future? Depends on where you live.
The answer in Mecklenburg is yes. It has the economy. It has large diverse student populations that scare the heck out of each other: a breeding ground for bright flight, contempt and new charters.
In 1974 when the private schools got their starts because of Swann, they were the remedy for the wealthy or religious groups like NorthSide Baptist Church. Today, charters are the middle classes’ new private schools. They will be successful! And it all started with a little court case over funding in Hoke County: Leandro.
Bolyn McClung
Pineville
3 districts or hundreds of charters.
CMeSs won't survive with E E-S in charge.
I asked the same question the day these were approved.
CMS needs to have its budget CUT and 20 day enrollments scrutinized when these schools become operational.
Also, say goodnight to the $1.6 BILLION dollar bond package CMS wants...
Teachers deserve a lot of credit but most would prefer cash.
If CMS gave EVERY child the opportunity to succeed, not just the ones deemed most "at risk," there would be no need for charters. If my kid can get the amount of money allotted to him by the state to educate him--I'm all for it! It sucks to only get half while the other half goes to the West side....
Not sure why CMS would be against these students leaving. While CMS still plays with the formula for paying out charter schools in spite of the court ruling, they still will pay out less money than the BOCC, the state and the feds are giving per these certain students.
Tom Tate did a good job to politic the rest of the state board to deny suburban students any new charter seats. His disgust for suburban students and families knows no bounds.
All responders need to use a dictionary to learn the difference between "there" and "their". I continue to be appalled at spelling!
they're being bad, aren't they?
SBE Board Chair makes very positive statements regarding new charter schools. See video below - way to go North Carolina!
http://www.ncpubliccharters.net/2012/08/02/video-dr-harrison-batting-for-charter-schools/
ANN
Can you give us a breakdown of the bonus money that is given to each principal for graduation rates? It is my understanding that they have received this bonus money for several years as the teachers have lost salary and benefits. Please provide an honest answer.
No bonus money for graduation rate increases-no bonuses for achievement unless school is a strategic staffing school
Post a Comment