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Saturday, November 21, 2009
Funding for Traditional, Charter Schools To Be on Ballot
By Hailey Heinz
Copyright © 2009 Albuquerque Journal
Journal Staff Writer
A single question that includes funds for charter and traditional schools will appear on the February ballot.
The Albuquerque school board voted on the issue Friday after weeks of negotiating new laws that govern charter school funding. Some board members said the decision, which was unanimously approved, was the best solution but not ideal.
"We are deviating from the master plan, and I find that very, very unfortunate," said board member Robert Lucero.
Lucero, who represents the West Side, had suggested another question asking voters to pay for a study of the feasibility of splitting a West Side district from APS.
That was never formally proposed.
When voters go to the polls Feb. 2, they will face two questions, which will ask them to maintain property taxes at their current rate. One question will ask for bonds worth $225 million over six years, and the other will request property tax revenue worth $391 million over six years.
About $40 million will go to charters, with the rest going to traditional schools. Master plan director Kizito Wijenje said much of the focus will be on renovating older facilities. Schools set to receive big-ticket improvements include Del Norte, Rio Grande and Sandia high schools.
Another major expense will be a $40 million West Side sports complex.
The board's decision was complicated this year because legislation now mandates all charter schools be in public buildings by 2015 and receive money based on enrollment.
The district decided to give per-student money to 19 charters that have worked with APS and shown stable leadership and fiscal responsibility. Another six charters have already been included in the district's master plan and are in line for new buildings or renovations from the bond and property tax questions.
That leaves 18 charters that will not be funded because they did not work with the district or meet its criteria.
Lisa Grover, chief executive officer of the Coalition for Charter Schools, said she was pleased the board did not separate charter school funding into a separate question.
"I think this is a good step forward for the charter school movement," Grover said.
Board President Martin Esquivel said the per-student money mandated by the state will eventually harm both charter and traditional schools.
For this tax cycle, the per-student money will be about $660 per student, which he said will not add up to enough money for renovations or other capital projects at most charters.
Esquivel said everyone would benefit more if all schools were made part of the master plan.
"We have been asked by various respected legislators to work through a new law with many contradictions," Esquivel said to the board Friday. "In doing so, I wish to make it clear that we have compromised to a point where we may be taking money away from our traditional schools."
Grover said some schools preferred flexible per-student money instead of becoming part of the master plan.
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