News

Charter school funding problem close to resolution

March 18, 2008

Here's an inspiring example of the good things that happen when local and state elected officials work closely together.

At issue: funding for local charter schools, those innovative public schools that are exempt from many of the requirements that traditional public schools must observe.

The problem: Fast-growing charter schools often begin the school year with a funding shortfall due to the current method of calculating student enrollment.

Under the current system, school districts send the state Education Department enrollment figures for all schools -- including charter schools -- after a head count on the 45th day of school. The state then sends out checks in December -- almost four months after the start of classes.

The district, in turn, then sends checks to charter schools.

Charter schools often struggle at the beginning of the school year to afford the additional teachers that expanding schools need. Brashier Middle College Charter High, for example, plans to grow by 100 students this fall -- an increase of 33 percent.

Unless the state can begin to provide money for growth earlier in the school year, Brashier will have to borrow money to pay for teacher salaries and other expenses associated with an increasing student enrollment.

Earlier this year, the Greenville district advanced Brashier and Langston Middle School $545,000 to cover their projected growing enrollment this year.

But the school district should not have to advance charter schools money it hasn't received from the state.

Charter schools, after all, are designed to operate with as much freedom as possible and are governed by independent boards.

In addition, although the Greenville district was able to advance funds to charter schools without much fiscal hardship, many smaller districts would not have the financial wherewithal to provide money to these schools in advance.

Certainly it's in the best interest of the state to promote the growth of these schools, which provide an additional measure of educational opportunity for South Carolina's young people and a bit of healthy competition for traditional public schools.

So, the question is this: How can we get the state to provide charter schools with the money they need at the beginning of the year -- rather than four months into the year -- to accommodate student growth?

This is where the inspiring collaboration came into play.

On Aug. 28 last year, the Greenville school board approved the creation of the Charter School Funding Timing Task Force on a motion by Tommie Reece, the Greenville Area 17 trustee who has chaired the task force.

The group consists of Greenville school staff, board members as well as charter school staff and board members.

At the panel's first meeting on Sept. 12, members defined the problem, pointing out, among other things, that the late funding in effect punishes charter schools for growing when, in fact, that growth should be encouraged.

They identified a salient problem with the state's charter school law as well. That law, while providing adequate start-up funding, fails to take into consideration years 2-4, when rapid growth can be expected.

Over the course of several meetings, the task force elicited the help and advice of state Education Department officials as well as Sen. Mike Fair and State Rep. Garry Smith.

Fair and Smith agreed to sponsor budget provisos that would get money to charter schools more quickly. State Education Superintendent Jim Rex also visited with the task force and, of several options discussed, agreed that the best course of action is the budget proviso sponsored by Fair and Smith. (Smith's proviso was approved last week, according to a school official.)

The proviso seeks to get needed funding to charter schools on the fifth day of school -- rather than four months into the school year.

The hope is that Greenville County may serve as a model for dealing with this statewide charter school funding issue.

So, problem solved?

Well, not quite. But thanks to the work of the task force, state Education Department officials and lawmakers, the problem is well on its way to being fixed.

Like I said, it's an inspiring example of how important things get accomplished when local and state officials put their heads together.

Let's give some credit where it's due: On the task force, representing the school district were: Tommie Reece, Keith Ray, Alex Martin and Pam Mills. Representing local charter schools were Stuart McAlister, Bob Nash, Brenda Humbert and Greg Able.

By Paul Hyde
ASSOCIATE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
GreenvilleOnline.com