Growing Tensions Over Charter SchoolsLawmakers and local residents want to know why they can't have a greater say about charter schools hosted by their communities
- Acting Commissioner of Education Chris Cerf
How much should local school districts have a say about the presence of charter schools in their midst?
It was a topic that dominated the Senate budget hearing yesterday, where acting Education Commissioner Chris Cerf testified as to the growing tensions that have surfaced -- especially in suburban communities -- over the new schools.
To him, it was unequivocal that local districts and their voters not have a direct say in the alternative schools, which operate under state charter.
"If it were up to local municipalities, it would essentially kill charter schools," Cerf said.
Those tensions were very much in evidence yesterday, as Democratic leaders quizzed Cerf on where charters are needed and where they are mostly causing resentment. Residents of Milburn at a meeting last night could speak to the latter, with some asking why in a time of tight budgets they should be paying for two charter schools proposed for their students.
"There is a fair amount of tension about this in a place like Millburn," superintendent James Crisfield
