In a recent release, the Northeast Charter Schools Network, a regional advocacy group, included a section with “facts about Connecticut charters,” which I wanted to share with my readers.

“Facts about Connecticut charter schools:

• Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that admit students via a blind lottery. They accept all students regardless of their academic ability.

• They are managed by non-profits and subject to government oversight. Charter schools must perform to stay open.

• State charter schools do not take funding away from the local school district in any way, shape or form. When a student attends a state charter school, the local school district actually keeps the state funding for that student, and the charter receives a separate grant from the state. C.G.S.A. § 10-66ee.

• Districts are eligible for reimbursement from the state for transportation and special education services provided to charter school students.”

The “activist” who took over last Monday’s Bridgeport School board meeting, kept repeating the false claim that “charter schools steal money for the district.”

No doubt these inaccurate statements will be repeated again at tonight’s public hearing.

The truth is, as noted in the list above, charter schools do not “steal” money from districts. Charter schools are funded largely by the state Board of Education.

Even the claim that charters take away transportation and special education funding is completely inaccurate.

While it is up the district to disperse special education funding (largely funded by federal and state grants) and provide transportation to students going to charter schools, districts are eligible for reimbursement from the state for these expenditures.

You can read full release here: [Connecticut Plus, 3/17/2014]

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