Unexpected side effect of Texas school finance overhaul has Dallas schools nixing controversial charter partnership
Fort Worth ISD, however, plans to continue its charter partnership
One of the most politically heated battles the Dallas school board has undertaken in recent years was the decision to transform some classrooms into charters.
Parents and teachers crowded meetings for months urging the board to not “privatize” any part of DISD by handing control over to outsiders. Trustees argued amongst themselves late into the evening — and well into the early morning hours — before finally agreeing earlier this year to create partnerships that allow private operators to run some DISD prekindergarten classes as charters.
But now, DISD is hitting reverse. Administrators told trustees on Thursday that the district needed to scrap the plan altogether because the district will receive dramatically less money from the state than projected.
Trustee Joyce Foreman, the only sitting board member to oppose the partnerships, said the unexpected was exactly why she didn’t want DISD to participate.
“I’ve been a person who has cautioned this board about moving too fast — and the administration — on things before we have the full understanding,” Foreman said. She added, “Yes, I’m gonna crow. Take your time. Slow your roll.”
The district was taking advantage of a 2017 law, SB 1882, aimed at encouraging traditional districts to partner with charters, which are public schools that are generally run by independent operators. Districts using the law would receive about $1,800 more per student in 1882 partnerships, which was CONTINUE READING: Unexpected side effect of Texas school finance overhaul has Dallas schools nixing controversial charter partnership