SENATE VOTES TO PROTECT PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING

Measure requires direct funding of charter schools

AUGUSTA—Early today the Senate voted 21-14 to prevent charter schools from siphoning taxpayer funds from public schools.

“The funding of our charter schools is flawed.  This measure addresses one of the biggest weaknesses by putting forth a fair funding model,” said Senate President Justin Alfond of Portland. “This bill helps strengthen all of our schools and I am proud of the bipartisan support this measure.”

The measure provides direct funding for charter schools through the State’s General Purpose Education fund.

Charter schools were approved by the Republican-controlled 125th Legislature and have negatively impacted public school funding. In this year alone, Skowhegan is losing $400,000 and is expected to lose another $650,000 next year to both Cornville and the Maine Academy of Natural Sciences. The communities of Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Topsham and Harpswell (MSAD 75) are expected to lose $300,000 next year to Harpswell Coastal Academy School. The public schools in MSAD 75 serve nearly 2,600 children, while the Harpswell charter school will serve 60 students at most.

“Funding for charter schools should not come at the expense of funding for public schools,” said Senator Rebecca Millett of Cape Elizabeth, the Senate Chair of the Education Committee. “Preventing charter schools from draining financial resources from public schools provides relief for local schools, and local property taxpayers. This measure provides more local control over how our property taxes are spent instead of blindly turning money over to charter schools.”

LD 1057, “An Act Related to Public Funding of Charter Schools,” was approved by the House earlier today in an 85-55 vote. It faces further votes in the House.

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