Agenda Text
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Opposing the lifting of the state charter school cap.
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Official Text
WHEREAS: The provision of high-quality public education to all Somerville students is both a fundamental obligation and a critical investment in the strength of our community; and
WHEREAS: Funding for Commonwealth charter schools comes from funds that would have otherwise gone to local school districts; and
WHEREAS: There is no participation by local elected officials in the establishment of Commonwealth charter schools and no oversight by local elected officials of these local funds in the operation of Commonwealth charter schools; and
WHEREAS: There is no requirement for local community consent in the establishment of Commonwealth charter schools and no requirement for local community representation in the operation of Commonwealth charter schools; and
WHEREAS: A 2014 Audit by Commonwealth of Massachusetts Auditor Suzanne Bump found that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s waitlist information for charter schools is inflated, not supported by underlying data, and “not accurate”; and
WHEREAS: That Audit Report further found that many Commonwealth charter schools educate fewer high-need students than their sending districts, including students with disabilities, students who are English language learners, and other at-risk student populations; and
WHEREAS: Any expansion of Commonwealth charter schools would have a deleterious effect on local school districts’ ability to provide quality public education for all students and is not in the best interest of the people of Somerville; NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED: That this Board believes local School Committee approval should be required for the opening of any school funded by local public tax dollar; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED: That this Board opposes the lift of any cap on charter schools in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED: A copy of this resolution be delivered to the Governor of the Commonwealth and the Somerville state and local legislative delegations and otherwise widely distributed.