California Educator

April / May 2019

Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1103796

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 42 of 73

4. PROBLEM: Absentee charter oversight isn't working A 2 0 17 S T A T E A U D I T showed that a handful of school districts had authorized charters as far as 50 miles outside their geographic boundaries. That's because a loophole in cur- rent law allows a charter to operate outside its authorizing district by claiming there is insufficient space. This arrangement brings in revenue — by tenfold in at least one district. No surprise, then, that several tiny districts have welcomed dramatic growth in their number of out-of- district charters. However, the audit found that districts weren't necessarily providing the oversight for which they were paid. In addition, the audit states, "The academic performance of the out-of-district charter schools we visited was below the average performance of compara- ble schools." State auditor Elaine M. Howle says that long-distance overseers "do not generally have robust processes to ensure that their respective charter schools are financially stable and academically successful" and that "none of the districts we visited could demonstrate that they consistently monitored the academic performance of their respective charter schools." Example: Tiny districts make big bucks from long-distance oversight According to the state audit, Acton-Agua Dulce Unified in rural Los Angeles County, which enrolled 1,080 students in its school district last year, was able to increase its revenues by $2 million by authorizing out- of-district charter schools. One of them, Albert Einstein Academy in Valencia, was closed last June following years of concerns about the school's finances, lack of commu- nity support, and a charter petition that was out of compliance, as noted in the audit. New Jerusalem School District in San Joaquin County, meanwhile, added Assembly Member Rob Bonta SOLUTION: AB 1505 This bill, by Assembly Members Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) and O'Donnell and co- sponsored by CTA, gives districts sole authority for approval or denial of charters within their commu- nities. It ensures all key decisions and renewal of a charter will be made by the local governing board. AB 1505 also allows local school boards to consider the impacts of an independent char- ter on students in neighborhood public schools and provides local boards with more discretion in charter approval, renewal and revocation processes. In an era where local control is prioritized — as shown by the success of the Local Control Funding Formula for public schools — it makes sense that local control should apply to all schools within a district's boundary, including charters. "Local control helps to ensure a level playing field and edu- cation equity," says CTA President Eric Heins. "Who is better qualified than local school districts to decide if a charter school is necessary or desirable in their community?" May 22 Day of Action T E A C H E R S , P A R E N T S and communities will rise up on May 22 to bring attention to the flawed laws and corporate tax loopholes described on these pages. We must urge legislators to support AB 1505, AB 1506, AB 1507 and SB 756 (see next page). We must also show legislators our support for the Schools and Communi- ties First initiative, which closes a loophole in Proposition 13 that allows corporations to keep their property taxes artificially low, and raises $11 billion annually for schools, community colleges and community services. (See story on page 43.) Join the rally on May 22 in Sacramento at 4 p.m., or join online! Learn more and get involved at cta.org/redfored. 41 A P R I L / M AY 2 019

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of California Educator - April / May 2019