tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post3379530101780736518..comments2024-03-29T02:41:52.718-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Closing Bad ChartersMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-53051273158479368492012-12-02T12:04:17.343-08:002012-12-02T12:04:17.343-08:00Speaking of sales of school properties below mar...Speaking of sales of school properties below market value - what is currently up with the former MLK building?<br /><br />Anon writerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-12627531295166660962012-11-30T08:15:38.127-08:002012-11-30T08:15:38.127-08:00The law only says that the district MAY sell a bui...The law only says that the district MAY sell a building to a charter school at below fair market value. It does not say that the District MUST sell a building to a charter school for less than it's worth.<br /><br />Frankly, I don't see why a school district should EVER sell a building for less than its full worth, but Seattle Public Schools has done it a number of times.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-82615153568572555332012-11-29T22:32:32.359-08:002012-11-29T22:32:32.359-08:00Melissa: that possibility (forcing a sale of Dist...Melissa: that possibility (forcing a sale of District property at market value (or less than market value) occurred to me too). Assuming all the other unconstitutional things in this initiative get fixed, that one needs to be fixed by amending the Act to provide that all such sales require sale back to the District at the original sale price, if the charter is closed, or otherwise goes out of business. Otherwise, this provision could be badly abused -- particularly if a piece of property was located on land that was quite valuable for commercial development. If the District is compelled to sell property, the deal should obviously be -- you have it as long as you want it for running a school. Tired of that gig? Great -- we will take it back at the same price. But -- that is not how the law currently reads.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09923777229601243321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33624586101562441592012-11-29T10:03:30.073-08:002012-11-29T10:03:30.073-08:00D, that's a good question. I don't know. ...D, that's a good question. I don't know. One interesting outcome that has happened in other states is when a charter buys a school building.<br /><br />Meaning, you open a crappy school and gain a building. Run the school into the ground and then close it. You then own a piece of property that you bought cheaply (under the terms of the law) and can NOW turn around and sell at a profit. <br /><br />Under 1240, entirely possible.<br /><br />FYI, the NACSA is one of the more sober charter associations. They actually WANT to get rid of the many bad apples because those bad apples are going to wreck their movement. If they say it is this bad, I'd believe them. And yes, they are funded by Gates and Walton.<br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62397346821399357122012-11-29T09:24:30.654-08:002012-11-29T09:24:30.654-08:00D's mom - I-1240 says that all of the rental a...D's mom - I-1240 says that all of the rental agreements for charter schools must have provisions for the school's possible closure.<br /><br />In the case of a conversion school, the district never loses ownership of the school property. The district can do what they like with it if the charter closes.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10370875573378713422012-11-29T09:22:48.174-08:002012-11-29T09:22:48.174-08:00The funniest part of this article can be found in ...The funniest part of this article can be found in the comments where some folks with poor math skills assert that half (or more) of public schools are in the bottom 15%.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13939666444452532882012-11-29T09:19:54.255-08:002012-11-29T09:19:54.255-08:00It just occurred to me while reading this - if an ...It just occurred to me while reading this - if an existing public school is converted to a charter, which is then closed due to these provisions, does the district get to claim the school back as a standard public school?<br /><br />-- D's momAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67737838011239059652012-11-29T09:07:44.763-08:002012-11-29T09:07:44.763-08:00I think we would hurt fewer people and save more m...I think we would hurt fewer people and save more money if we just close the 40 charters in WA before they even open.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.com