Seattle Schools Community Forum

Several Democratic districts have taken up the issue of charter schools; of those that have, most have come out against them.  Here is a program from the 32nd Dems happening this week. 32nd District Democrats Program  February 8, Wednesday  7pm  Masonic Hall Shoreline, 753 N 185th St, Shoreline     (map)         Why Democrats Are Opposed to Charter Schools It would be hard not to notice the intense lobbying efforts to promote charter schools by Stand for Children, the League of Education Voters and, now, the Washington State PTA.  Lining up against charter schools are the League of Women Voters, NAACP, the state teachers union (WEA) and most Democrats.  Charter schools have been rejected by the voters three times, most recently in 2004, and both the State party platform and the King County platform affirm our opposition. Sarajane Siegfriedt ,   Chair of the King County Democrats Legislative Action...

I started reading the charter school bill.  Boy, that didn't take long to find some real issues.  I'm only at page 23 of the 45 page bill and there is a lot to worry over.  (So I'm not done but understand that many of the "strict charter law" items that some at this blog want, aren't found in this particular bill. ) I do need to finish reading it but here's the first major one on page 4.  LEV wants us all to believe that only non-profits can open charters.  They would be right but that doesn't mean only non-profits can run them.  To whit: A charter school board may:  Enter into contracts with any school district, educational service district, or other public or private entity for the provision of real property, equipment, goods, supplies, and services, including educational instructional services and including for the management and  operation of the charter school as long as the charter school board maintains oversight authority over the ...