Funding Change Could Jeopardize Local Charter Schools (MA)

June 22, 2010

Charter schools are independent public schools funded by the state and usually proposed by teachers, school leaders and parents. These schools are funded under the same formula as public schools — the state pays the same per pupil.

"If the school districts’ funding goes up, the charter schools’ does, too, and if their budgets are cut, so is ours," said Marc Kenen, director of the Massachusetts Charter School Office. "This assures an equal funding for both."

But under the new formula, charter schools’ funding could be cut year-to-year regardless of what happens to aid for public schools. Officials at Lawrence’s Family Development Charter School say this means expanding enrollment may not come to fruition.

"We’re hopeful that (legislators) can look at the situation and realize it’s not really worth putting the formula in. It’s putting charter school education in jeopardy," said Family Development superintendent Ralph Carrero.

There are three charter schools in the area, including Family Development. There is also the Hill View Montessori Charter School in Haverhill and the Community Day Charter School in Lawrence.

Janet Begin of Hill View Montessori and other charter school officials said the schools have been successful because of their autonomy and ways of being experimental and innovative in their curriculum, in addition to their accountability.

At Hill View, students learn in multi-age classrooms using the scientifically-designed Montessori model and lessons in grace, courtesy, respect and responsibility.

"This will have a negative impact and definitely discourages growth," said Begin. "We’re hoping it doesn’t go through because it will not be fair, equitable or helpful to public education."

At Community Day, students have an English and Spanish curriculum, in addition to a service club and violin lessons by the Community Strings. Sheila Balboni of Community Day Charter School is hoping that the legislative conference committee reviewing the line item on charter schools leaves the funding formula the way it is.

"I hope the conference committee is able to let charter schools across Massachusetts count on the funding and not have it be subject year by year so we can plan ahead, set budget and teacher’s con tracts," she said. "We’re obviously concerned about anything that would result in us having less funding than we’ve had in the past 15 years that have bene in existence."

Students at charter schools are selected through a public lottery with priority given to residents from the cities where the schools are located. Children from other towns are admitted after Lawrence or Haverhill residents.

Kenen noted in the last five years charter school students have had some of the highest MCAS test scores in the state. At Community Day Charter School, eighth-graders placed first in the English language arts in the state. Sixth-graders at Community Day had a 90 percent ranking in math and 80 percent of eighth-graders passed the math portion of the test.

While Family Development Charter School wanted to increase enrollment by 200 students, Balboni said their school board is "taking under advisement" the possibility of expanding, "but has made no commitment."

There are 270 students in kindergarten through seventh grade at Hill View Montessori in Haverhill and Begin said the school plans to increase to 296 next year by adding an eighth-grade class.

"This discourages charter schools from growing," said Begin, adding they will be subject to annual cuts and tuition increases. "It would not be fair, equal or helpful to public education. If we have something good, why not perpetuate that?"

"We try so hard to improve the quality of education with innovative practices and for what?" said Carrero.