Voters Should Have A Say On Charter Schools
Opinion
Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan
By Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr.
Many will agree that charter schools in the right place and at the right cost are a viable option for educating our children. But just as public schools are required to get voter approval for their annual spending, charter schools should have to prove their worth to the public before they open their doors and start spending taxpayer money.
After all, charter schools are funded by taxpayer dollars, and their mission should be supported by the local community. Ninety percent of the cost of charter school students comes from the local Board of Education budget.
That’s why I have sponsored legislation (A-3852) that would require charter schools to be approved by the voters of the district at the annual school election before they are authorized to operate.
This is an opportunity for charter schools to prove their case, especially so-called “boutique” charter schools that are proposed not only in Middlesex County, but in communities across our
Read more: http://njtoday.net/2011/09/10/voters-should-have-a-say-on-charter-schools/#ixzz1XYr30aA6
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