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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-06-03 13-193 RESOLVECOUNCIL ACTION Item No. 13-193 Date: June 3, 2013 Item/Subject: Resolve, Establishing a Position in Opposition to Charter Schools in the State of Maine as Provided for Under Current Maine Law Responsible Department: Commentary: This resolve affirms the City's position that no additional charter schools should be approved prior to a complete and thorough review of Maine's current charter schools law. This resolve further asks that the State address issues of funding, the lack of local control by elected representatives, ensuring adequate State and local oversight of the curriculum and standards, and other issues that are cornerstones of a quality education. Finally, the resolve asks that taxpayers and public schools are protected from the negative financial impacts of charter schools. Maine law currently allows the Maine State Charter Commission to approve 10 charter schools over 10 years. On average charter schools take $9,000 per child, in state and local funding, away from the sending school. Under current law, Charter School Governing boards consist of those appointed by the entity that operates the school. Without duly elected representatives, taxpayers who fund the school are denied from having any input in how the school is operated or funded. Maine's charter school law also does not adequately address the source of funding for home schooled children who decide to go to charter schools, thereby creating an additional financial burden on local schools. Finally, Maine's current charter school law allows virtual charter schools. These schools are difficult to monitor because they do not have an actual building location and are typically operated by large national corporations. Due to concerns that Maine's charter school law imposes a financial burden on local school districts, municipalities, and taxpayers with the potential of negatively impacting the General Purpose Aid to public schools and requiring state and local taxpayers to fund both public schools and charter schools, the City hereby requests that the State not permit additional Charter Schools until a complete and full review of the law is undertaken. Manager's Comments: Associated Information: Budget Approval: Legal Approval: Introduced for )7 Passage First Reading Referral Department Head Page _of_ City Manager Finance Director City Solicitor Assigned to Councilor Baldacci CITY OF BANGOR AS AMENDED 13-193 JUNE 3, 2013 (TITLE.) Resolve, Establishing a Position in Opposition to Charter Schools in the State of Maine as Provided for Under Current Maine Law WHEREAS, Maine law currently allows the Maine State Charter Commission to approve 10 charter schools over 10 years; and WHEREAS, on average charter schools take $9,000 per child, in state and local funding, away from the sending school; and WHEREAS, charter schools operate without a locally elected school board, the charter board consisting of those appointed by the entity that operates the school, thereby denying taxpayers who fund the school from having any input in how the school is operated; and WHEREAS, current Maine law regarding charter schools does not adequately address the source of funding for home schooled children who decide to go to charter schools, thereby creating an additional financial burden on local schools; and WHEREAS, current Maine law allows virtual charter schools; and WHEREAS, virtual charter schools are difficult to monitor because they do not have an actual building location; and WHEREAS virtual charter schools are typically operated by large national corporations; and WHEREAS, the State has little control over virtual charter schools; and WHEREAS; under current Maine law charter schools impose a financial burden on local schools and taxpayers with the potential of negatively impacting the General Purpose Aid to public schools and requiring state and local taxpayers to fund both public schools and charter schools. BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR: BE IT RESOLVED, That the City of Bangor takes the position that no additional charter schools should be approved prior to a complete and thorough review of Maine's current charter schools law that addresses issues of funding, the current lack of local operation and control by elected boards, ensuring adequate State and local oversight of the curriculum and standards, and such other issues that IN CITY COUNCIL June 3, 2013 Motion made and seconded for Passage Motion made and seconded to Amend Resolve 13-193 to include a request for a meeting between the Governor, the Commissioner, Bangor City Council and Bangor School Committee Amendment Passed Motion as Amended Pass CITY CLERK AS AMENDED 13-193 JUNE 3, 2013 guarantee that students receive a quality education and that taxpayers and public schools are protected from the negative impacts of charter schools. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City Manager request that the Governor of the State of Maine and the Maine Commissioner of Education meet with the City of Bangor School Committee and City Council to discuss the City's concerns regarding Maine's Charter School laws. Assigned to Councilor Baldacci CITY OF BANGOR 13-193 JUNE 3, 2013 (TITLE.) Resolve, Establishing a Position in Opposition to Charter Schools in the State of Maine as Provided for Under Current Maine Law WHEREAS, Maine law currently allows the Maine State Charter Commission to approve 10 charter schools over 10 years; and WHEREAS, on average charter schools take $9,000 per child, in state and local funding, away from the sending school; and WHEREAS, charter schools operate without a locally elected school board, the charter board consisting of those appointed by the entity that operates the school, thereby denying taxpayers who fund the school from having any input in how the school is operated; and WHEREAS, current Maine law regarding charter schools does not adequately address the source of funding for home schooled children who decide to go to charter schools, thereby creating an additional financial burden on local schools; and WHEREAS, current Maine law allows virtual charter schools; and WHEREAS, virtual charter schools are difficult to monitor because they do not have an actual building location; and WHEREAS virtual charter schools are typically operated by large national corporations; and WHEREAS, the State has little control over virtual charter schools; and WHEREAS; under current Maine law charter schools impose a financial burden on local schools and taxpayers with the potential of negatively impacting the General Purpose Aid to public schools and requiring state and local taxpayers to fund both public schools and charter schools. BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR: BE IT RESOLVED, That the City of Bangor takes the position that no additional charter schools should be approved prior to a complete and thorough review of Maine's current charter schools law that addresses issues of funding, the current lack of local operation and control by elected boards, ensuring adequate State and local oversight of the curriculum and standards, and such other issues that guarantee that students receive a quality education and that taxpayers and public schools are protected from the negative impacts of charter schools.