Commissioner Riley: Say NO to New Bedford Charter School Expansion
State Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley
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Two charter schools in New Bedford are seeking to grow by almost 1,300 seats. The New Bedford Public Schools are already underfunded by $40.3 million annually, and these additional seats could drain as much as $30 million from the school budget annually. Although privately operated charter schools are funded with public money, they are not required to meet the needs of every student and they can return students to the district schools for myriad reasons. In addition, the community has no oversight or control over the operation or expansion of charter schools.
Tell Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley to not recommend approval of these charter school expansions in New Bedford. Sign this petition today to add your name to voices for free and open public education.
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To:
State Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley
From:
[Your Name]
Please do not recommend that the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approve the proposed expansion of charter schools in New Bedford.
This is a terrible time to consider such an expansion. As you know, New Bedford Public Schools are underfunded by $40.3 million annually until the Legislature takes steps to update the school funding formula. Furthermore, the state has consistently failed to fully reimburse districts for what is owed them for charter school tuitions.
The proposed expansions have the potential to extract an additional $15 million annually from our public schools. This would more than double the amount of money the city currently loses each year to charter schools. Our students cannot afford that.
I am also deeply concerned about the lack of input that my community has in the operation and growth of charter schools.
Given these serious problems, I believe you should recommend that the proposed charter school expansions in New Bedford not move forward. Please demonstrate your support for all students attending New Bedford Public Schools by instead advocating for fully funded public schools.