The ABC’s of Question 2: The Charter School Debate

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

On November 8th, voters across Massachusetts will vote on whether to raise the cap on charter schools.

A “yes” vote supports this proposal to authorize up to 12 new charter schools or enrollment expansions in existing charter schools by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education per year.

A “no” vote opposes this proposal to authorize up to 12 new charter schools or enrollment expansions in existing charter schools, thereby maintaining the current charter school cap.

Many voters still aren’t sure how to vote because they are not quite sure why charter schools are “bad” for our district schools.

The pro charter school contingency wants to expand charter school availability in order to have public alternatives to district schools.  Comparing such schools is difficult because all charter schools are not the same.  They each have different charters and focuses.  Some charter schools are operated by nonprofits, such as KIPP, Excel, Match and others are operated by an independent board, made up of individuals from various entities from the private and public sector, often the board members have little to no experience as educators.

Those opposed to the expansion of charter schools point to inequities in student populations, inequities in qualifications for teachers, and the inequities in funding.

The current funding methods are draining resources from district schools that are often left to educate the neediest and most expensive students for districts i.e. high needs specials education students, new English language learners, homeless students, out of district placements and students with emotional and behavioral disabilities.

In addition to current funding deficits, the debate has brought a financial concern for the future.  What is the plan should these charter schools close down in the future?  How will local districts, which are already stretched, take in 100s or in some cases, 1000s of students?

This is not a farfetched scenario.  What will happen if legislation and legal challenges require charter schools to provide resources to educate all students?  What will happen if the non-profit operators or Boards feel they cannot afford to educate all students? Where will these displaced students be educated?  Will the government and public taxpayers have to step in and take over control?  What if an organization, such as KIPP, Excel or Match decides to close down or a Board cannot continue operating a school? Could charter schools be a financial bubble that could burst and overwhelm already stressed public education systems in the neediest districts?

Charter schools and district schools are a two tiered system of public education.

The question is:  Are we truly ready to jump into a public charter school system where decisions are made behind closed doors of a board room with no parental/public input or recourse?

A “Yes” vote will increase the number of charters and offer an alternative that comes with many risks.

A “No” vote allows education leadership to deal with the funding and student population inequities surrounding these two public school models, as well as, to plan for students returning to a district should charter schools close their doors.

Massachusetts schools are #1 in the country.  Expanding charter schools at this time may put that prestigious position in jeopardy.

— Kathy Sullivan

Somerville