Look out Massachusetts taxpayers! The charter school industry wants your tax money!
On Tuesday, November 8, 2016 (Election Day 2016), Massachusetts voters will have to opportunity to cast their vote in favor or against Question 2, a referendum that would lift the cap on the number of charter schools allowed in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts taxpayers are already coughing up move then $450 million a year to fund the more than 70 privately owned and operated charter schools in the Commonwealth, despite the fact that these schools refuse to accept or educate their fair share of students that require special education services or those who needed extra help learning the English Language.
But skimming nearly a half a billion dollars from Massachusetts taxpayers instead good enough for the charter school industry. If Question 2 passes, the cost to Massachusetts residents could skyrocket by another $300 million dollars a year.
Opponents of Question 2 say the amount of money lost will grow if Question 2 passes: $100 million more the first year, more than $200 million the next year, more than $300 million the year after that. In some cities and towns, charter schools can already take as much as 18 percent of a school district’s budget. That, say public school advocates, would result in the elimination of classes such as music, art technology and foreign language courses and leads to larger class sizes.
As Wait, What? reported earlier this month in, Charter School Industry targets Massachusetts,
A group of billionaires and corporate executives are using a front group called Great Schools Massachusetts and the New York based charter school advocacy group, Families for Excellent Schools, to pour an unprecedented amount of money into a campaign to expand the number of charter schools in Massachusetts.According to published reports, the charter school industry is on track toLook out Massachusetts taxpayers! The charter school industry wants your tax money! - Wait What?: