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Bloomberg Battles Albany Over Charter School Reform
By
Ben Muessig
Published Jan 18, 2010
Modified Jan 18, 2010
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By
Ben Muessig
Published Jan 18, 2010
Modified Jan 18, 2010
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Mayor Bloomberg has been a vocal supporter of charter schools, but he says a new bill that would double the number of charter schools allowed in the state is "a wolf in sheep's clothing." Though the new legislation would increase the number of charter schools permitted in New York from 200 to 400, it would also add restrictions that would require greater openness from charter schools, bar for-profit corporations from opening them, and give public school parents the power to stop charters from moving into public school buildings — restrictions the Mayor claims would halt their expansion.
Bloomberg says the new bill — which lawmakers hope to pass by tomorrow afternoon so the state has a chance to win $4 billion in federal education financing — would "surely weaken our application for federal dollars." He told the Times: "There are tens of thousands of New York City children on charter school waiting lists, and they deserve better than this." The Post reports that Bloomberg is particularly peeved by a provision that would give the Board of Regents — reportedly "a panel handpicked by charter-wary Legislature Democrats" — the exclusive power to grant charter school approvals. Currently, both the Regents and the State University trustees can grant the approvals. Bloomberg's schools chancellor, Joel Klein, has refused to sign the state's application, a move the Times notes "would weaken the state's chances" of winning the federal money.
State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said Bloomberg's opposition to the bill less to do charter schools and more to do with power. "Our legislation would put an end to divisive fights over school space by giving traditional public school parents a voice in the process when they are asked to give up classrooms to accommodate a new or expanding charter school in their school building," he said. "Contrary to Mayor Bloomberg's statements, this bill would place no limit on continued charter school growth in New York City. The only limits it places are on his and Chancellor Klein's unchecked ability to completely disregard the voices of traditional public school parents in siting decisions."
Tagged
bloomberg
charter schools
education
federal funding
mayor bloomberg
money
public schools
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sheldon silver
Ben Muessig
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