When Free Rent Isn’t Free
By James Merriman
Of the 136 charter schools operating in New York City, 88 are located in district school space. Because charter schools in New York State do not generally receive any capital/facility funding, the district has had a policy of not charging rent.*
It is hard to exaggerate the effect of this policy. More than any other factor, it has allowed the charter school sector to expand in a city where real estate is both its lifeblood and a blood sport. Without district space, charter schools face daunting hurdles, including carving out up to 20% of their operating funds to pay the rent. Even then, facilities can be far from ideal; I’ve often seen a charter leader in private space marvel at the luxuries the most neglected and old public school buildings provide.
Access to district space has fueled the rapid growth of charter schools in NYC. But it isn’t truly rent-free. What charter schools in