State Has Chance to Affirm Support for Charter Schools

January 4, 2010

As co-founder and retired former commandant of the Delaware Military Academy, I want to call attention to an opportunity existing for Delaware to right an earlier wrong.

In the process, the state can demonstrate its support of charter school education initiatives, while at the same time improving its chances for "Race to the Top" funding.
The U.S. Department of Education launched the grant program to reward states that are making significant progress improving their public schools.
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan plans to award a portion of the $4 billion Race to the Top fund early this year and ag ain in 2011.
One of the standards used in awarding funding will be demonstrated support for charter schools.
Delaware lags far behind many states when it comes to capital financing for charters. You may recall several years ago the DMA applied for conduit bond assistance through the state, encouraged by the Delaware Economic Development Office.
After considerable expense to the academy, our proposal was submitted and voted upon favorably (8 to 1) by the governor’s appointed council. However, as a result of pressure applied by organizations opposed to the charter movement, it was not allowed to move forward, being incorrectly viewed as a form of capital funding.
No state funds would have been provided under the program. Instead, we simply would have been authorized to obtain a private loan with tax-deductible interest.
The News Journal and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce issued strong statements in opposition to the the position of the governor and the Economic Development Office.
I received a call from the director of the development office and a letter from Gov. Minner praising the academy, while declaring that until there were legislative changes and reviews by state authorities, they would not authorize the use of conduit bonds by DMA.
The academy then successfully obtained funding outside Delaware.
I believe the state of Delaware, and most everyone involved in the unfortunate scenario, now realize it should have been handled differently. I have heard from many corners that if the academy applied today, the results would have been favorable to our request and that no legislation is necessary for charter schools to participate in the state’s program to assist non- profit organizations.
If this is, in fact, the case, then the state should say so in order to strengthen its Race to the Top application.
This will allow Delaware’s charter schools to raise private capital (they receive no public capital assistance, but should) more easily.
The only ones who will oppose this relatively simple declaration of existing law are those who oppose education reform. And they should not be allowed to continue to be the determin- ing force in establishing education policy.
President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary Duncan have made it abundantly clear that charter schools will play an important role in education and enjoy their full support. Delaware may take a step forward and enhance its position for Race to the Top funding by demonstrating this commitment to the success of charter schools and correct this injustice.