Charter school plan worries districts. Superintendents fear drain of state aid.

[Ian David]

By James Vaznis
Globe Staff / December 27, 2007

The proposed International Charter School of Southeastern Massachusetts in Brockton could drain nearly $5 million in state aid next year from 13 school districts from Randolph to Middleborough - a prospect that is causing unease among area superintendents who are already facing budget shortages. The loss would occur as students switch from existing school districts to the new charter school. Each time a student leaves, the school district forfeits about $9,600 in state education aid, which goes to the charter school.

The charter school, if approved by the state Board of Education in February, is expected to start with 500 students in kindergarten through Grade 5, and eventually expand to K-12 with 1,300 students. That enrollment equals $12 million in state aid. The Brockton public schools are expected to bear the largest loss of students, but superintendents of nearby districts are also worried.

The financial impact could be huge, they say; for example, the departure of just four students could mean the loss of funding for one teaching position.

Sabis Educational Systems, a for-profit corporation based at a private school in Minnesota, would run the proposed charter school, although it would be governed by a local board of directors, which submitted the application for state approval.

More:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/12/27/charter_school_plan_worries_districts/