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LWV New Mexico Proposes Charter School Study
by Meredith Machen
League of Women Voters of New Mexico Study
Charter School Regulations: Public School Funding, Accountability, and Transparency
Scope of Study: In the context of the growing emphasis of some governmental policy-makers on promoting charter schools, this study will review information regarding the regulations and policies from which charter schools are released to determine if the exemptions from regulations may impede the progress of traditional public schools and the sufficiency of funding for public schools.
Because charter schools are publicly funded, the study raises the question of whether they should be held to standards of accountability and transparency that are at least as rigorous as those of traditional public schools. The study will also examine the need for changes in charter school regulations regarding their missions (which now allow adults to get their high school credentials, have specialized curricula, and alternative assessments), their governing bodies (which are not publicly elected or complying with the Open Meetings Act), their operations (which are not publicly audited), and rules for authorization and reauthorization.
Making a Difference: We Are and You Can Too
by Richard McNeill
When you think the education scene is depressing, do something! This is what we are doing in Alachua County to spread the word as the Citizens for Strong Schools lawsuit nears. A mom and a grandfather started this. I just help with background information. They are working through the parent organizations to spread hope that it is possible to make a difference. This is Richard’s announcement to the Alachua County School Board this week. Read how they are going about their project. You can help.
New Mexico LWV Urges Moratorium on Charters
by Meredith Machen
The President of the New Mexico League of Women Voters calls for a moratorium on new charter schools. She cites the Center for Public Education: “46 State Education Agencies are cutting back on charter school funding because of their fiscal difficulties, the challenges of delivering adequate special education services, and the lack of staff available to provide proper oversight. We hope that NM will follow suit and impose a moratorium until the data demonstrates the need.”
Meredith supports her position with data.
Charter School Real Estate Bubble Soon to Crash?
How much charter school debt is too much? We may find out.
Most of us are not aware of how management companies finance charter facilities. These companies form their own real estate companies from which they lease facilities. These charter school buildings are privately owned, and if the charter closes, the buildings remain with the management companies.
Many of these charter facilities are financed through long term revenue and other types of bonds. Funds from the charter operating budget, financed by state tax dollars, is used to make principal and interest payments on these loans. Building loans may be several million dollars, and lease payments are kept relatively small for several years. Then, as the bonds become due, the schools face large balloon payments. Where the money will come from is unclear. It may be another form of the construction bubble that burst in 2007.
These facility loan practices occur in many ways. In School Finance 101, Bruce Baker provides graphs showing how this debt is mounting on purchases of public buildings by private firms that were initially paid for by tax dollars and in other startling ways. However the financing occurs, the buildings are owned by private firms. The public pays for them. Some states have funding and financing guidelines. Florida does not.
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- Education Team at the Department of Education
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