Charter schools win ruling The Post and Courier - Charleston SC newspaperCharleston's charter schools notched a major legal victory Wednesday in terms of the money and services the school district must provide them, but their fight might not be finished.
A ruling from Circuit Judge Roger Young could mean that millions of dollars would be taken from neighborhood schools and given to charter schools. But some school officials said they still don't think Young answered the crucial question: What should a charter school receive from the district?
The Charleston County School Board plans to hold a special meeting early next week to decide whether to appeal.
At issue is Act 189, a piece of
legislation applicable only to Charleston County. It prohibits the district from denying a charter school anything that is otherwise available to a public school.
The district sued the state on the constitutionality of the law and contended that it was special legislation that conflicts with and supersedes the state's charter school law. Young ruled that the law was valid.
Statewide law calls for charter schools to pay their bills, such as teachers' salaries, rent and transportation, with an amount of money determined by formula; charter schools receive the average of what the district receives per student.