NJSBA CALLS FOR DIRECT FUNDING OF CHARTER SCHOOLS 

TRENTON, August 16, 2000—A representative of the New Jersey School Boards Association today called on the State Board of Education to require direct state funding of charter schools.  Presently, local school districts pay for each student from the community who attends a charter school. 

“Currently, the cost of a charter school comes out of the local school district’s budget,” explained Toby R. Simon, NJSBA assistant executive director, during a hearing on proposed changes to regulations governing charter schools.  “This amount is voted on by the taxpayers.  Looking at the larger amount necessitated by including charter school funding, the public might assume that all the budgeted funds are entirely for the public school district.  This larger amount may cause them to vote against the budget…not understanding that the amount specified for charter school funding cannot be reduced [by the municipal governing body]. 

“Direct funding from the state to the charter schools would remove this problem,” she said. 

In 1998, delegates to NJSBA voted to seek full state financial support of charter schools.  The action came in response to several school districts that expressed concern about the potential negative impact of the state’s charter school funding method on traditional public school programming. 

Today, Simon noted that NJSBA supports the concept of charter schools as a vehicle to provide choice within the public school system.  “We also believe however, that the existence of charter schools should not diminish opportunities for students remaining in regular public schools,” she noted.

The following is NJSBA's testimony on charter schools.

TESTIMONY ON THE CHARTER SCHOOL CODE AMENDMENTS
N.J.A.C. 6A:11

Presented to the New Jersey State Board of Education
August 16, 2000

By Toby R. Simon
Assistant Executive Director/Membership Development
New Jersey School Boards Association

 My name is Toby Simon.  I am the Assistant Executive Director of the New Jersey School Boards Association.  Thank you for the opportunity to talk with you today on the proposed revision of the Charter School regulations. 

NJSBA policy states that the Association supports choice within the public schools when local communities have made that determination. Charter schools could be one of those choice options. We believe that they can be a vehicle for providing children a chance to succeed.  We also believe, however, that the existence of charter schools should not diminish opportunities for students remaining in regular public schools. 

In prior testimony and correspondence, we passed on to the Department of Education our members’ suggestions.  We are pleased that you heard these concerns and included language in the charter school proposal that: 

·        addresses the financial impact on the "host" district

·        ensures that the charter school has a safe, appropriate facility

·        increases accountability and review

·        requires certificated lead personnel

·        moves up the date for notifying the resident district of students’ plans to attend a charter school;

·        codifies ethics training and filings;

·        and clarifies that the Sunshine Law applies to charter school boards of trustees 

The addition of these provisions will contribute to establishing a charter school program that complements the traditional public school system. 

The Association believes, however, that there are some further changes that should be made to ensure the success of all public schools, including charters.

·        We recommend the inclusion of a provision in the subchapter on Charter Renewal that requires the district board of education to be notified concurrently with charter schools of DOE denials and renewals of charters.  This information is necessary to facilitate the planning process of the district board of education. 

·        Most important, we also recommend that the charter school funding procedures be modified to provide a direct revenue stream from the Department of Education to the charter school.  Currently, the cost of a charter school comes out of the local school district’s budget.  This amount is voted on by the taxpayers. Looking at the larger amount necessitated by including charter school funding, the public can assume that all the budgeted funds are entirely for the public school district.  This larger amount may cause them to vote against the budget, hoping that it will be reduced by the town council. They may not understand that the amount specified for charter school funding may not be reduced, whatever else the municipal body may do. Direct funding from the state to the charter schools, rather than having local districts, in effect, serve as a pass-through, would remove this problem. 

The Association, and I personally, have been working closely and collaboratively with the department on charter school issues. We are currently working hard to make the new charter school trustee training requirement a success. We appreciate the support and we have received and the on-going ability you provide us to give input. Thank you.