Feb. 3, 2023
Pushing back on charter school expansion
Much of the good news in the governor’s budget plan was overshadowed by a disturbing plan to expand corporate charter schools. NYSUT is pushing back on allowing the return of “zombie” charter schools, or removing geographic caps to further expand charters. “Where public schools unite our communities, charter schools fracture them,” said NYSUT President Andy Pallotta, noting charter schools are a huge financial burden on home school districts.
Key legislators are already bashing the idea. See below.
My Joint Statement on Governor Hochul’s Budget Plans Regarding Charter Schools, with Senator John Liu and Senator Robert Jackson pic.twitter.com/0jOrUl6FlV
— Senator Shelley Mayer (@ShelleyBMayer) February 1, 2023
Gov. Hochul's budget proposes lifting the cap on charter schools & reauthorizing 'zombie charters' in NYC. This undermines the historic investment of public school funds meant to benefit children in NYC. Attached is my full statement w/ colleagues @ShelleyBMayer & @LiuNewYork. pic.twitter.com/X9Hi5fGmSd
— Robert Jackson (@SenatorRJackson) February 1, 2023
The naked attempt to remove the cap on charters in NYC is a nonstarter. The cap has historically served to strike the balance between giving parents so-called “choice” & the constitutional requirement to keep public schools open, and it’s not common sense to upset that balance.
— John C. Liu (@LiuNewYork) February 1, 2023
New charter schools will drain resources from districts that serve communities with the highest needs, sending funds to corporate charter networks with different rules that lack transparency and accountability.
— Senator John W. Mannion (@SenJohnMannion) February 2, 2023
Expanding charters schools is a policy that I cannot support. pic.twitter.com/8lnx209zu0
100% agree with @nysut in charter schools !! https://t.co/Uj3rGwf2qs
— Angelo Santabarbara (@AsmSantabarbara) February 3, 2023
Accordingly, I will advocate against the lifting of the cap on charter schools as proposed in the 2023-24 Executive Budget.
— Assemblymember Karen McMahon (@McMahonforNYS) February 2, 2023
(2/2)
While I share @NYSUT's praise of the Governor's budget as it relates to her commitment to funding our schools, I also share its concerns about the charter school expansion proposal and the financial impact it will have on the state's public schools. https://t.co/WekkvXrWWv
— NYS Assemblymember Chris Burdick (@BurdickAD93) February 2, 2023
Looking at school aid numbers for the 13 districts I represent, and applauding @GovKathyHochul for meeting the moment to fully fund public schools. The proposal to lift the charter school cap and support the corporate charter school industry is disappointing and troubling.
— Carrie Woerner (@AMCarrieWoerner) February 2, 2023
Our position on this has not changed. We do not need to lift the charter cap. We need to continue to invest in our state's public schools. pic.twitter.com/PNEsKRvH6y
— Julia Salazar (@JuliaCarmel__) February 2, 2023
I have seen the devastating effects that charter schools have had on school districts like Lackawanna and Buffalo. I will not support raising the cap in any part of our state.
— Pat Burke 🦬 🗽 (@PatBurkeNY) February 3, 2023
As I begin to analyze the Governor's initial budget proposal, I share in @nysut's concerns for the proposed expansion of charter schools in the state. As a teacher of over 40 years, I fear this decision's financial impact on the public school system of New York. https://t.co/bSWqBmCGm4
— Assemblymember Chris Eachus (@EachusAD99) February 2, 2023
I’m disappointed to see the charter school cap increased in the Governor’s budget. While I am supremely grateful to see the promised increase in foundation aid, it feels like we are giving to our public schools with one hand and taking with the other.
— Jen Lunsford (@VoteJenLunsford) February 3, 2023
My statement on the proposed changes to the charter cap in the state budget: pic.twitter.com/39IdqmktC5
— Senator Rachel May (@RachelMayNY) February 3, 2023
At a time when we are working to help public schools recover from the impact of the pandemic, lifting the cap on NYC charter schools is the wrong move.
— Senator Sean Ryan (@SenSeanRyan) February 3, 2023
All too often, charters fail to serve our most vulnerable students. We must focus our public resources toward public schools. https://t.co/W18UghOC4k
My district also would not support raising the cap on charter schools which funnel money to private operators. That money could go to more mental health or drug abuse prevention programs in public schools. Further, lower pay and less job security doesn’t improve education. https://t.co/YuSFuL395q
— Phil Steck (@PhilSteck) February 3, 2023
The overall education package by the Governor is very positive. I am perplexed by the Charter School proposal in NYC which needs further explanation. It does not make sense especially in light of the other issues plaguing the city. https://t.co/Zd7vK1Q4sy
— John T. McDonald III - Member of NYS Assembly (@johnmcdonald108) February 4, 2023
The current proposal to increase the number of charter schools in New York will not help our public schools, but hurt them.
— Assemblymember Patricia Fahy (@PatriciaFahy109) February 3, 2023
We must revisit this in budget negotiations.https://t.co/2AEjDx2k7t
As a former teacher & ranker on Senate Education Committee, I strongly support full foundation aid & increased state aid for our schools but opening up charter school cap should not be squeezed into state budget. As I always advocate, there should be full transparency & debate!
— Senator Jim Tedisco (@JamesTedisco) February 4, 2023
The Governor’s proposed budget on education is good in the sense that it increases funding to deal with the inflation factor experienced in 2022. The downside is opening up the sub cap on charter schools which will divert available financial resources away from public education.
— Assemblyman Scott Gray (@AndrewgrayS) February 4, 2023
Investing in public education has never been more important. Glad to see the Governor honor our commitment to fully fund our public schools, but it absolutely cannot be paired with an expansion of charter schools, which directly diverts resources from our students most in need.
— Samra Brouk (@samraforsenate) February 4, 2023
The gov’s budget proposal is out. As a member of the Senate Ed Cmt I’m pleased to see increase aid proposed for our local schools. But budgets should not be a place to cram in controversial policy. Opening the charter school cap does not belong in the budget.
— Senator Dan Stec (@SenatorDanStec) February 4, 2023
Good in the Exec Budget: We need to continue investing in our public schools and making sure those dollars are reaching the students and teachers that need them.
— Jeffrey Dinowitz (@JeffreyDinowitz) February 7, 2023
Bad in the Exec Budget: More charter schools in NYC do not help ensure success for all students. Public schools do. https://t.co/CXNzSRzgac
Thank you @NYSUT for supporting our NYS public schools. I stand with you in the fight to fund our public schools to the fullest extent, and against charter school expansion which could jeopardize funding for existing public schools.
— NYS Assembly Member Amy Paulin (@AmyPaulin) February 6, 2023
Every child in New York deserves an equitable education, one that is properly funded, stable, and accessible. By fully funding foundation aid, Gov.Hochul has supported that goal. However, I echo the thoughts of my colleagues that the cap on charter schools should not be raised... https://t.co/vOgkAvDZth
— Harry B. Bronson (@HarryBBronson) February 6, 2023
I share the concerns of many of my Senate colleagues about the proposal to remove the NYC cap on charter schools. The majority of students I represent are in public schools, so we must invest in that system, not increase the financial burden on an already underfunded system.
— Gustavo Rivera (@NYSenatorRivera) February 6, 2023
I share the concerns of many of my Senate colleagues about the proposal to remove the NYC cap on charter schools. The majority of students I represent are in public schools, so we must invest in that system, not increase the financial burden on an already underfunded system.
— Gustavo Rivera (@NYSenatorRivera) February 6, 2023
— Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera (@JonRivera149) February 6, 2023
Hudson Valley has elected great champions of public schools. Thank you Assemblymember AILEEN GUNTHER for standing against lifting the cap on charter schools. #CharterSchoolsDivideUs @AndyPallotta @MelindaJPerson @NYSUTMHRO @nysut https://t.co/aTrhrEANWp pic.twitter.com/phXbLV3SbP
— Emiljana Ulaj 🍎 (@emiljanaulaj) February 8, 2023
.@AMDanaLevenberg reiterates her position that the state SHOULD NOT lift the cap on charter schools at today's Budget Hearing on Elementary & Secondary Education. Thank you, Assemblymember! #CharterSchoolsDivideUs@nysut @AndyPallotta @MelindaJPerson pic.twitter.com/okpFraWzD0
— Emiljana Ulaj 🍎 (@emiljanaulaj) February 8, 2023
My statement on Governor’s proposed lifting of charter cap 👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/fHfTxNORoP
— Senator Jeremy Cooney (@SenatorCooney) February 8, 2023
Public education is the great equalizer & while I applaud the Governor’s commitment to continuing record investments in public education, I can’t support an expansion of charter schools that will bring disinvestment & inequity within our public school system. https://t.co/nXHzlAlGrR
— Michelle Hinchey (@MichelleHinchey) February 4, 2023
Thank you to @GovKathyHochul for fully funding Foundation Aid for our public schools. However, now is not the time to revisit the charter school formula when too many needs of our students and educators are still unmet. @nysut
— Senator Pete Harckham (@SenatorHarckham) February 17, 2023
Until the governor wants to hold charters to same standards as public schools, I am not in favor of lifting the cap.
— Bill Conrad (@campaignconrad) February 3, 2023
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