State helps charter schools by boosting spending power
By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
More state money, and possibly greater oversight and accountability, is coming for charter schools under a bill signed into law yesterday by Gov. Linda Lingle.
Although the increase in spending is far short of what charter school advocates had asked for before the session, the governor, state lawmakers and charter school administrators described it as a positive step toward equity for schools that have often fought to stay afloat.
"I know it hasn't been easy and in fact it has been a monumental struggle for many charter schools," Lingle said before she signed the bill at Voyager, a charter school in Kaka'ako.
The governor's proposal to lift a cap on new, start-up charter schools was quickly dismissed by the state Legislature last session after a state audit found a troubling lack of oversight and accountability of the state's 27 charter schools. A task force will review that issue.
Lawmakers decided to smooth over some lingering technical issues at the schools and wait until the task force comes back with its recommendations before considering whether to significantly expand the number of schools.
Traditional public schools can covert to charter schools — and the new law would allow an unlimited number of conversions — but the slots for start-up charter schools have been taken.
"I don't feel we've reached a point where we're confident that launching more charter schools is the answer," said state Sen. Norman Sakamoto, D-15th (Waimalu, Airport, Salt Lake), chairman of the Senate Education and Military Affairs Committee.
The charter schools, which serve about 5,300 students statewide, have to meet the same academic and performance standards as traditional schools. Test scores have found that charter students overall are doing as well or better than other students.
The new law brings charter school employees into the state's workers' compensation pool and allows teachers to move between charter schools and traditional schools. The law makes clear that the state Board of Education has the authority to set guidelines for the schools, put struggling schools on probation, and to revoke charters. The audit had found there was confusion about the board's powers that contributed to a lack of oversight.
Lawmakers also approved an increase in charter school spending as part of the state budget, giving the schools about $32 million a year, up from $28 million. Charter schools had initially wanted $43 million next school year and $45 million the following year.
"Aside from the funding issues, this is a real A-plus for the charters," said Jim Shon, the executive director of the state's charter schools. "I think the spirit of this bill is how can we assure that the charters succeed, and be held accountable as well."
Voyager students, on their last day of school, serenaded Lingle with an 'ukulele-inspired rendition of "Hawaiian Superman." The school, in a converted warehouse, had to move some walls to get enough space for the students and guests to greet the governor and her entourage.
Sue Deuber, the principal at Voyager, said it showed how charter schools often have to adapt. "They're moving walls and creating alternatives for families," Deuber said.
Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
