Massachusetts charter school conflict, it's all about the money

November 8, 12:43 PMBoston School Funding ExaminerRuth Miller

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The debate continues between Gloucester and the State of Massachusetts over the Gloucester Community Arts Charter School. This debate began the moment that the charter school's application became public and will not end until the  State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education makes a final decision on revoking the charter  they granted back May 7,2009.

On Saturday the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education held a special meeting to determine if they should revoke the charter and if so, exactly what basis they needed. This is not simple because of the laws that are in place to protect charter schools from losing their charter.

Gloucester public officials are concerned about the financial impact this charter school will have on the city as well as the public schools. Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk, who sits on the school committee is concerned that each student that chooses to go to the charter school will take $10,000 out of the public school accounts. With 240 students that becomes a substantial drain on the public system.

The Chapter 70 system for supporting schools is based on property value and wealth. The state has made a commitment to pay at minimum 17.5% of school costs to every district. Gloucester pays 83.25% which is higher than required. Gloucester is one of the districts that has been exceeding their minimum requirement and the state is making an adjustment over the next five years to make sure they pay no more than the required 82.5%. This is important to understand because this is the funding source for charter schools.

The foundation per pupil cost for Gloucester is $9,630. Each student that goes to the charter school will take that amount of money with them. What Gloucester public officials are saying is unfair because of how the formula is calculated. Special education ($3,303,635), Out-of-District placements ($866,972), and low income students ( $2,324,934) have increased costs, therefore increase the overall per pupil cost.  If the Gloucester Community Arts Charter School opens and only attracts regular education students they will get a disproportionate share of the Chapter 70 funds. In addition, the state is not funding the 17.5% that  is legally required. Therefore, Gloucester is actually supplementing with city funds a school that the majority of the city does not want.

Why is the Community Arts Charter School continuing to move forward while not supported by the local community? Extensive written material and testimony was given to the State Board of Education against the charter school proposal based on the application submitted. Only a few representatives in favor of the charter school appeared at the public meeting held by state officials, The real question is why did the State Board approve the charter school when the state's charter school office did not recommend it.

A decision will be made to end this debate and possibly continue the legal battle. What impact will this have on Massachusetts chances to get funding under the "Race to the Top" competition? Will this competition determine the outcome? We may never know.