RES-2011-028 Resolution in Opposition to Senate Bill 8 - No Cap on Number of Charter Schools - in its Current Form

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RES-2011-028 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Resolution in Opposition to Senate Bi118 - No Cap on Number of Charter Schools - in its Current Form Whereas, we are elected by the voters of Orange County to provide funding for, among other critical needs, the education of the students of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools systems; and Whereas, as leaders of the County, we are charged with the responsibility for securing and appropriately using funding from multiple sources including federal, state, and local governments, as well as private donations, additional grants, and various fees; and Whereas, both school systems have voluntarily taken affirmative action to secure funds to provide elective programs for their students believing that these programs provide significant benefits for their students beyond the basic education requirements; and Whereas, the North Carolina General Assembly has provided for charter schools in North Carolina and is currently considering Senate Bill 8 - No Cap on Number of Charter Schools, which would expand these schools and redefine their funding; and Whereas, Senate Bill 8 would entitle charter schools to a portion of all funds that flow through local public school system accounts, including: donations from private entities; reimbursement of expenses (such as activity bus fees and gymnasium rental fees); grants that school boards took affirmative action to secure for programs that charter schools choose not to offer (such as Head Start, More-at-Four, and Free and Reduced Lunch); fund balances; and child nutrition funds (which include fees paid by parents and governmental subsidies even when the charter school does not serve lunch); and Whereas, the only funds that Senate Bill 8 would exclude from charter school entitlement would be funds where donor specifications have provided that such funds be accounted for in a particular way, and federal grants restricted as to use; and Whereas, in practice, grantors and donors to public school systems restrict the use of funds but do not specify the manner of accounting; and Whereas, when public school systems receive grants for specific programs such as Head Start and More at Four, the funds must be used solely for the purpose of providing those programs; thus, any portion of these grants shared with charter schools would have to be taken from the current operating budget of the local school system, leading to a reduction in services and/or positions that would otherwise be provided; and Whereas, under Senate Bill 8, charter schools may apply for and secure grants for specific programs at their schools with no obligation to share such monies or donations with any local school system; and Whereas, Senate Bill 8 as proposed would result in a significant disparity of per pupil operating funding in favor of charter schools; and ..