CALIFORNIA
Charter Schools Request Independent Audit
Two independent study charter schools, Youth Charter Schools and Opportunities for Learning Charter Schools have requested an independent audit to resolve a dispute with the Department of Education which, according to the schools, has failed to provide them with reasons for funding cuts. The schools have asked the State Board of Education and the California Board of Education to be a part of the process and have invited these entities to submit a list of issues for review. The charter schools want to resolve issues regarding the Advisory Commission on Charter Schools’ objective application of SB 740. PR Newswire (March 3, 2005). See also Mercury News (March 3, 2005).

Four San Diego Schools Gain Charter Status
Four underachieving district schools have been approved by the San Diego School Board to operate as charter schools after six months of hard work by parents and teachers. The move was seen as step to raise student academic performance. As charter schools, the four can now operate outside of the union contracts, which made it difficult to attract and retain qualified teachers. Those schools which were approved unanimously for five-year charters are Gompers Middle School in Chollas View, Keiller Middle School in Jamacha, and King Elementary School in Stockton. The schools will model themselves after successful charter schools, reducing class sizes, lengthening the school day and year, and focusing on teacher retention, student discipline and well rounded curricula. San Diego Union-Tribune (March 2, 2005).

UC Berkeley and Charter School to Open College Prep
The University of California, Berkeley and Aspire Public Schools will partner in the operation of college preparatory school to open this fall in Oakland. The secondary school, which will take over the Golden Gate Elementary site, will initially have an enrollment of 120 to 160 sixth and seventh grade students. The curriculum will be a blend of Aspire’s model of intense college preparation and will utilize educational innovations developed by UC Berkeley’s graduate students, and involve parents and the community. East Bay students who face barriers to college enrollment will be given first priority. Don Shalvey, chief operating officer of Aspire Public Schools, said "By combining the best of UC Berkeley's college leadership with Aspire's successful model of opening high-performing schools that prepare students for college, we have created a win-win situation for students and families." UC Berkeley News (February 24, 2005).

Charter Schools to Receive Funds for New Facilities
The State Allocation Board, which apportions state funding for public school construction, has selected the twenty-eight charter schools to receive $277 million for construction projects. Proposition 55, passed in March of 2004, established the Charter School Facility Program, which provided $300 million in bond funds for new facilities and additions to existing charter schools. Finding adequate, affordable, suitable facilities has always been a challenge in the state’s charter movement. The twenty eight schools will have four years to complete building plans, acquire property and obtain the necessary state permits and approvals. PR Newswire (February 24, 2005).

Charter Principal Opposes Funding Bill
Ben Lenz, principal of the Marin School for the Arts and Technology (MSAT) says the proposed amendment aimed at equalizing district per pupil funding for high school, will actually reduce the amount of total funding his school receives. The bill will not address the fact that some districts are required to pay charter schools an additional $800 per pupil—money that they do not receive from the state. This year, the Novato district received about $105,000 less from the state than it had to pay out to MSAT. District officials who support the bill say the funding disparity should be made up by the state rather than at the district level. Eric Potashner, deputy chief of staff for Senator Carole Migden, the author of the bill, expects charter school opposition to the bill as "This is more to help out the school district." Marin Independent Journal (February 24, 2005).

Governor Lauds State’s Charter Schools
In his weekly radio address Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger praised the state’s charter schools as models of educational efficiency, able to invest more in the classroom because of their ability to be competitive in purchasing contracts for services. He also announced a coalition to fight criticism over his $36.5 billion education spending plan for the 2005-2006 school year, a plan that public school advocates say reduces public school funding by $2 billion for the next two years. After the governor’s address charter school advocates are hoping for $10 million within the education budget to be dedicated for facility grants for low-income schools. Mercury News (February 19, 2005).

Group Uses Mayoral Race to Gain Support
The Small School Alliance, hoping to increase public awareness of small, autonomous schools, has begun running ads encouraging business, school and political leaders to make education reform a priority. Their campaign, patterned after the successful Green Dot Charter School, advocates for smaller enrollment, college preparatory curricula, staff involved decision making, higher teacher pay, lower administrative costs, mandatory parent involvement, and longer school days. Los Angeles Times (February 17, 2005).

Latino Schools May Soon be Charter Schools
Schools chief Randolph Ward has proposed that 13 Oakland elementary schools which have not met federal standards should be operated by management other than the district. Opponents see this as an attempt to attack unions and undermine public education. Teachers at five schools, after appealing to the district, will be allowed to restructure their schools without outside management. The federal standards set by No Child Left Behind makes no allowances for students in schools at which English is not the primary language despite the fact that state tests are given in English. Education for Change could be the charter organization taking over the schools. The Daily Review (February 11, 2005).

CCSA Helps with the Bureaucracy
The California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) offers services to help charter schools with financial challenges that public schools don’t often face or that are handled by their district, such as insurance and workman’s compensation packages. Purchasing plans for equipment and supplies and short term loan programs have also been established. Serving more than 500 state schools, CCSA is branching out to offer its services in other states. Education Week (February 9, 2005).

Charter Schools Offer a Safe Academic Environment
College-Ready Academy High School does not offer athletics or extracurricular activities, but it is an answer for minority parents whose children had previously attended low-performing, overcrowded and sometimes dangerous neighborhood schools. A state-funded grant program for schools serving low-income students has helped spur the growth of charter schools in urban areas such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Oakland and Fresno. Many charter schools have long waiting lists despite conflicting studies on students’ academic performance. "… if you are a parent and your 12-year-old is going into a dangerous and distressing school every day, you do look for short-term hope. And charters do provide that," said Bruce Fuller, a UC Berkeley professor of education and public policy. Most parents are willing to take a chance on charter schools rather than taking a chance on their child’s safety. Los Angeles Times (February 5, 2005).

Charter Schools Show Gains in Reading and Math
A national study by Harvard economist Caroline Hoxby showed that the state’s charter school students, were 8.5 more proficient in reading and 5.0 percent more proficient in math than students attending the neighborhood district schools with similar demographics. Statistics are even more dramatic for schools that had been in operation for at least six years. One such school is Watts Learning School, in a neighborhood whose population is below the federal poverty line. Gene Fisher, founding president of the school, says, “We are able to provide the support necessary for high academic achievement simply because we have the empowering autonomy as a charter school.” School Reform News (February 1, 2005).

Charter School to Harness the Power of the Sun
Henry Hearns Charter School of Academic Excellence is installing a solar energy system, paid for by a grant from the California Energy Commission and by a private donation, to meet a large portion of its energy use. Pupils will also be able to use the 400 square structure for shade. Los Angeles Daily News (January 26, 2005).

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COLORADO
Senate Passes Charter Bill 71
The state Senate approved a compromise bill by Senator Sue Windels, proposing changes in charter school regulations. The bill calls for the formation of a communication task force, which would include three charter school members and would address issues such as information sharing. Two Democratic Senators, Ed Jones and John Evans criticized the compromise, fearing further government interference in the charter system. Rocky Mountain News (February 26, 2005).

Charter School Sanction Bill Divides Democrats
Senator Sue Windels has proposed a bill that would return authorizing power to school districts instead of the state institute created last year. The goal in establishing the institute was to make chartering an easier process and to help at-risk students. The proposed legislation would enable districts to limit enrollment at charter schools and to control the number of charter schools opening in the district which according to Windels will make the approval process “fair and equitable… so that it meets the needs of children in all public schools." Opponents say the legislation is too restrictive on charter schools and will disregard the interests of parents, students, and teachers. Denver Post (January 20, 2005).

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CONNECTICUT
State Poll Supports More High Quality Charter Schools
The Connecticut Alliance for Great Schools (CTAGS) has released results from a statewide education survey which shows wide state support for more high quality charter schools. In addition, the poll supports equitable public funding for charter schools, the conversion of failing traditional schools, and views urban charter schools as an effective way to improve the quality of education. CTAGS spokesman, Dan Gerstein said the poll shows, "It does NOT make sense to just spend more money on the same problem schools. We need to make other changes to truly fix public schools that are consistently not working for our children." PR Newswire (February 7, 2005).

Amistad Charter School Wants Law Reform
Amistad Academy has proven itself as a model charter school and its leaders want to expand in Connecticut. However, current state charter school law has made it almost fiscally impossible. Amistad’s executive director, Dacia Toll wants an increase in per pupil allotment, an easement in enrollments, and more money for facilities. She is concerned that private foundations and donors will not be able to pick up the shortfalls if state funding is not increased. Unlike Connecticut, New York State, where three schools are scheduled to open in the fall, provides a favorable climate for charter schools with no enrollment limits, more funding and facilities. A private lobbyist group, The Connecticut Alliance for Great Schools has joined in the campaign to reform laws and keep successful schools like Amistad in the state. Newsday (January 30, 2005).

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FLORIDA
Port Lucia Moves to Create Charter School System
After recognizing the need to improve the quality of education and to improve the financial shortfall in the school district, the Port Lucia City Council has voted unanimously to hire an outside consultant to begin the charter application process. The city officials have not decided whether to increase property taxes or to set aside existing property tax money previously designated for other building projects for the construction of the city charter and district schools. TCPalm.com (March 6, 2006).

District Officials to Create New Financial Oversights for Charters
After an audit showed that a Boca Raton charter school had accrued more than $200,000 in debt, Palm Beach County School District officials have put new financial procedures in place. The district will utilize a computerized tracking program to assure promptness of financial reports and will provide training and support for both existing administrators and new applicants. South Florida Sun-Sentinel (February 12, 2005).

County School District May Owe Charter School Millions
Based on an opinion issued by the Florida Attorney General, charter school officials claim that the Manatee County School District owes them millions of dollars in past funding for construction and other capital needs. County superintendent Roger Dearing believes the county has met all the funding requirements as set in the Attorney General’s opinion, disagreeing with David Kraner, board chairman of Manatee School for the Arts, the county’s largest charter school. The Attorney General’s office would not comment on the correctness of either interpretation. Legal action may be the only answer as to the correct funding and regulations of the district’s capital outlay money. Bradenton Herald (February 8, 2005).

Home Depot and Volunteers Build Charter School Playground
Volunteers from Home Depot, sponsored by KaBOOM helped community volunteers build a playground based on ideal playground sketches from students of the Youth Co-op Charter School, in Hialeah. Students are now enjoying swings, slides and rock climbing walls in a safe, fun play space. Home Depot and KaBOOM have built more than 200 new playgrounds as a commitment to the communities that they serve. Hispanic Business (February 2, 2005).

GEORGIA
Parents Give Charters High Marks
In the first charter school survey conducted by the state Department of Education, 85 percent of parents said that they would re-enroll their children in charter schools next year. Currently about 15,000 students attend 38 charter schools in Georgia. State superintendent Kathy Cox said that the survey shows that the “schools must be succeeding.” Similar statistics form Arizona and Florida show that people who say charter schools are not filling a need… are wrong." said Lewis Solmon, executive vice president of education of the Milken Family Foundation and the survey administrator. Atlantic Journal Constitution (February 15, 2005).

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HAWAII
Governor’s Charter Plan Rejected
The House Education Committee voted down Governor Linda Lingle’s plan to expand the state charter school system. The bill would have given operation of charter schools to an authority appointed by the governor, rather than the Department of Education. The committee felt more immediate concerns of the charter system needed to be addressed in bills such as funding, workman’s compensation and the clarification of state charter school policies. Honolulu Star Bulletin (February 4, 2005).

State Board Requests Authority over Charters
Concerned about students who attend two troubled charter schools, the State Board of Education will request the Legislature to give them the authority to take action when a charter school is having serious problems. Currently the board cannot intervene with a autonomous charter school. The state believes many new charter schools’ board of directors lack training and experience and wants to provide assistance. Honolulu Advertiser (January 30, 2005).

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IDAHO
New Charter School Bill Considered
The legislature is reviewing a bill that would require charter school proposals to have petitions attached signed by at least half of the number of enrollment planned. Those signatures must be from only those planning to have their children attend. Some charter school advocates claim the current process is working and that the proposed bill would only lead to more bureaucracy and frustration. KBCI 2 (January 27, 2005).

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ILLINOIS
Law Firm to Establish Charter School
In August of 2005 the law firm of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP will open Legacy Charter School, an elementary school in the African-American community of North Lawndale. Along with the initial contribution of one million dollars, the firm will manage financial planning, oversight, and human resources. ” …we can think of no better way to give back to the community than to invest in its future through education," said its chairman Duane Quaini. "But our commitment is more than financial. Everyone at the firm is enormously excited and enthusiastic about this initiative and contributing their time and talent to make the school a success." Business Wire (January 27, 2005). See also: Sonnenschein News (January 27, 2005).

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MASSACHUSETTS
School Officials Against Romney’s Plan
Cambridge Public School District officials have spoken out against Governor Mitt Romney’s proposal to lift the current 9% budget cap that a district can spend on charter schools. They join other state public school districts that are opposed to the plan. Some districts are even asking for a moratorium on approving new charters. Rob Riordan, a charter school administrator in Cambridge, says that it is difficult to consider a statewide plan as each district has different issues, but that lifting the cap in urban areas where there is great demand would make sense. Cambridge School Committee member Joe Grassi doesn’t support lifting the cap, but thinks the best option for Cambridge Public Schools is to continue to improve student outcomes so charter schools won’t pose a threat, “…then the choice will be clear." Cambridge Chronicle (February 24, 2005).

Farmington Official Supports Freeze on Charter Schools
A member of the Statewide Coalition for Public Schools, Farmington School Committee member Pam Richardson will join the group in renewed attempts to freeze charter schools in the state, an attempt previously vetoed by the governor. The students in the regular public schools are being hurt, “said Richardson. The coalition’s bill would put a moratorium on commonwealth charter schools, and is being pushed just days before the state Board would vote on five new charter applications. ''They won't be satisfied until charter schools are gone and there's no competition, no pressure on traditional public schools to reform, and there's no threat to the union," said Rob Kaufman, director of the Christa McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School. Other proponents say the state charter schools are currently held to a higher standard. Boston Globe (February 10, 2005).

Governor’s Plan Supports Charter School Growth
Governor Mitt Romney proposes to eliminate the cap on the amount of money that a low scoring school district can spend on charter schools, allowing more than 20,000 new students in the state’s 56 charter schools and doubling their current enrollment. Senator Robert A. Antonioni, chairman of the Education Committee, supports lifting the cap, but proposes lifting the cap on the amount a district can spend from 9 percent to 20 percent and freezing the cap if the district moved out of the bottom 10 percent of scores. Massachusetts’s Charter School Association executive director Marc Kenen believes that with the governor’s support, Antonioni’s bill will pass. Boston Globe (February 1, 2005).

Cambridge Schools Criticize Charter School
Cambridge parents have received a letter from the Cambridge Public School System criticizing Community Charter School for its weak academic curriculum and for lack of extracurricular activities. The charter school was established by a former principal as an alternative to a failing secondary school. The state charter school association calls the letter a bashing and “unfortunate.” Public officials claim it is important for the district to point out the advantages of the district schools, since charter schools siphon off district funding. Boston Globe (January 12, 2005).

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MICHIGAN
Detroit Business Owner to Invest in Charter School
Former NBA Hall of Famer and auto-supply owner Dave Bing wants to open a charter high school in his business’s neighborhood North End and hopes other business people will endorse the idea. Philanthropist Bob Thompson who had planned to spend $200 million to build 15 charter schools in 2003 has committed to finance Bing’s charter school. Although permission was given for the 15 schools, Thompson withdrew his support because of opposition by school employee unions. The unions have denounced this last effort also, and Ken Coleman, spokesman for Detroit Public Schools said, "This is more significant than just two well-intentioned men who want to open up a high school in Detroit. This is about putting the death knell on Detroit Public Schools." Thompson stated that the school, modeled after the University Preparatory Academy in Detroit, must be committed to graduating 90 percent of its students and that 90 percent would go on to college. Detroit Free Press (February 28, 2005).

MINNESOTA
Charter School to Focus on Bullied Students
Alliance School will create an environment where students feel save, not discriminated against or bullied. The secondary school which was approved last spring will serve about 100 students recruited from school counselors. Tina Owen and Nicole Powers, both former teachers in Milwaukee’s school district, feel there are students out there who feel they are on the outside looking in, in a school too large to be managed by the number of teachers and administrators. Duluth News Tribune (March 7, 2005). See also JS Online (March 6, 2005).

Charter School Students Turn Cafeteria into Profit
Students in the Enterprise Based Learning program from Minnesota Business Academy (MBA) in St. Paul have taken over the administration of a school cafeteria and turned a $29,000 loss into an anticipated $7000 to $8000 profit this year. "What these students have done is bring this full circle by helping us meet our budget by bringing new ideas and energy to what had been a challenged operation,” said MBA board member Joanne Benson. These creative approaches could well be applied to budget challenges in traditional schools. Pioneer Press (March 1, 2005).

Leveling the Playing Fields in Charter School Sports
Nathan Veach, coach of West Lutheran High girl’s basketball team was relieved when Oh Day Aki, a Minneapolis charter school, forfeited a first round tourney game. Veach had been concerned about a hugely lopsided game against the charter school. Sports competition between charter, private and district schools is under discussion by athletic coaches, officials, and state legislators. Some legislators suggest taking all sports out of the schools and putting them in the state’s park and recreation programs while others address the funding of charter school students who participate in their district’s sports program. The Minnesota State High School League wants to consider adding “mercy rules” for teams who fall hopelessly behind, but some school officials and coaches want charter schools to have their own conference and play in their own tournaments. Charter school parents argue that their students should have the same sports opportunities as the other schools and charter school coaches say that even the lopsided games have given their students a positive experience. Joel Pourier, coach of the Oh Day Aki Team told his girls, "… if they keep working, they'll improve. I told them not to put their heads down." Star-Tribune (February 27, 2005).

Charter School Enrollment Increases by 18 Percent
Primarily because of the growth in suburban charter school enrollment, the number of students attending charter schools increased by 3200 students or 18 percent last year. Center for School Change, Director Joe Nathan said the growth is an indication parents “…are seeking smaller schools and a distinct program that often emphasizes more traditional and structured teaching.” The growth is likely to continue as more than thirty new charter schools have been approved to open by the state in the next two years. Star Tribune (February 24, 2005).

Charter Schools on Financial Watch List
Eight of 105 charter schools are on the state’s financial watch list. Charter schools are facing difficulties such as declining enrollment and expenses that exceed revenues. 18 of the state's 378 public school districts are also on this list. Schools on the list have debt that exceeds 2.5 percent of its annual operating expenses. The state will review the schools’ budget plans to determine if schools will be able to meet cash-flow needs for the rest of the school year. According to Morgan Brown, director of the Office of Choice and Innovation for the state's Department of Education, once charter schools get into trouble meeting operating expenses, they can have trouble fixing the problem. St. Paul Pioneer Press (January 29, 2005).

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MISSISSIPPI
Senate Passes Bill Creating Charter School Option
The state Senate passed a bill which would allow for the creation of five charter schools annually for three years, and ten schools per year thereafter. The schools must be chartered by the Department of Education, which will in turn evaluate the schools for the legislature. The law will also allow certain schools struggling financially, such as the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science and the School for the Arts to operate as charter schools and to be eligible for federal and private funding. Clarion Ledger (March 3, 2005).

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CSLC President Nelson Smith said that this research indicates that charter schools are performing well, “…though not as well as we want. But it also shows that there is a lot more we need to know in order to build on our strengths and address our weaknesses." Council chairman Howard Fuller proclaimed "Our ultimate goal is to make this revolutionary idea a central, permanent part of our public education system and harness the true potential of charter schools to meet the growing demand from parents and students for more high-quality, highly- accountability educational options." CSLC Press Release (January 31, 2005).

FY2006 Budget Funds Charter School Program
On February 9, 2005 the Charter School Leadership Council released a report on President’s Bush’s FY2006 budget and its impact on charter schools. The $68.8 billion allocation for education programs is approximately $3 billion below last year's funding. The Charter Schools Grant Program saw a slight increase over last year’s funding level, while funding for the Credit Enhancement for Charter Schools Facilities program was maintained. The proposed Choice Incentive Fund would provide grants to States, LEAs and local groups to expand educational opportunities for students to transfer to a higher-performing public, charter, or private schools. CSLC (February 9, 2005).