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.