More Charter School Proposals Sought
By Maria Garriga, New Haven Register, May 15, 2007

In response to several legislative bills calling for new charter schools, the Department of Education has put out a request for proposals that could lead to two more schools opening as early as fall.

The state has 16 charter schools, each of which runs independently of local school boards. The state gives them flexibility in curriculum and structure.

“By requesting the proposals in advance, we hope to be ready if the funds are released,” said Education Department Spokesman Tom Murphy.

Charter school advocates welcomed the news, but said that the legislature’s actions will determine whether new charter schools can actually open.

“The state of Connecticut is funny in that it approves schools before it approves funding. Last year, the state approved four new charter schools but only had funding for two,” said Marc Porter Magee, spokesman for ConnCan.

ConnCan is a statewide school research and advocacy organization dedicated to closing the achievement gap by raising academic performance of low-income and minority students.

Magee said ConnCan estimates show that three students applied for every one of those 3,600 slots, suggesting an overall demand for about 10,000 slots in charter schools.

The governor’s budget would raise the number of charter school slots to 4,100 by next year, but ConnCan advocates faster growth, with 1,200 new slots added at charter schools annually.

Murphy said that there is also the possibility that new charter schools could be awarded slots from charter schools that close. Cross Cultural High School in Hartford may surrender its charter this year because of low attendance, adding 100 unfilled slots to the pool, Murphy said.

Highville Mustard Seed Academy in Hamden, which has 300 slots, is on probation by the state over alleged financial improprieties. If the state revokes its charter, all 300 slots could become available to other charter schools or to start a new school.

Charter schools receive less funding per student than regular public schools. In addition, charter schools must pay for their buildings out of their own operating budgets while public school buildings are paid through separate capital funds from states and municipalities.

“It’s a complex enterprise, you have to have the faith of the parents,” Murphy said.