NEWSLETTER UPDATE #47

CHARTER SCHOOL UPDATE
June 5, 2008

NEW HAMPSHIRE LEGISLATION—THE OUTCOME 2008
CHARTER SCHOOLS and CHOICE NEWS NATIONWIDE
THE NH CENTER FOR SCHOOL REFORM
SCHOOLS NEED FACILITY SUPPORT

EDITOR’S NOTE
This year's legislative session is soon over. The legislature passed two funding bills addressing charter schools plus a third bill clarifying their public status. A facility stipend bill did not pass this year, apparently making independent charter schools the only state program with neither public space nor rent and lease support. The last section of this newsletter outlines the six independent charter schools' facility requests totaling $295,000 for next year. Reader suggestions are welcome.

NEW HAMPSHIRE LEGISLATION—THE OUTCOME 2008
It was touch and go, on and off, all during the 2008 legislative session. In the end, the state’s chartered public school program definitely advanced with bi-partisan support. The State Board of Education and Commissioner were unanimous and vocal in their public endorsement of the important role for chartered public schools in this state’s education system.

Senate Bill 539, which changes the entire state funding system in 2009-2010 passed with sections that included charter schools as part of the state system of schools. This is a major policy change; previously, charter school funding was tangential to statewide school funding policy. As part of SB 539, charter schools will automatically be provided disparity aid, as is state policy for its financially-neediest schools, bringing per student base state funding to $5450.

House Bill 1642, a one-year funding bill, advances charter school base state aid to $5,000 for 2008-2009. HB 1642 was intended to keep the independent charter schools alive until the 2009-2010 provisions begin. More than just an increase in state funding, however, passage of HB 1642 essentially is a state policy win for continuing independent chartered schools. (Several legislators confessed that opponents of HB 1642 knew these schools would likely close if bridge funding was not voted for next year). Legislators have already committed to continuing statutory problem-solving. Issues on the table next year are streamlining local authorization statutes and a facility stipend.

One of the seven independent charter schools has announced its closing, mostly related to financial strain—Franklin Career Academy Charter School. FCA has been the lightning rod of the state’s independent charter schools, receiving constant attention for its frank opinions on lack of adequate financial and administrative support. The press has focused primarily on problems related to Franklin rather than either the successes of the Franklin Career Academy (which are significant) or the successes of other charter schools which enjoy great community support, academic outcomes, school district cooperation, and business and foundation partners.

The moratorium for state-authorized chartered public schools is extended for one additional year until the new funding system is emplaced; however, there is no moratorium for district-authorized chartered schools and multiple schools are incubating for possible endorsement next year.

Legislative and financial gains this year resulted in part from a tenacious outreach effort by charter schools and their supporters. Legislators willingly visited charter schools throughout the state. A picture is worth 1,000 words, and apparently these schools’ missions and goals are so interesting and the children so engaged and thriving that legislators became advocates following their visits.

STATUS OF BILLS:
As of this writing, June 5, 2008, Senate Bill 539 is listed as "enrolled" meaning it has passed both houses and has been reviewed for errors, read in each house, signed by the Senate President and Speaker of the House, and forwarded to the Governor. HB 1642 passed the Senate yesterday on an 18-5 vote, endorsing the committee of conference’s unanimous recommendation.

Senate Bill 418 changes the term “charter school” to “chartered public school” in legal documents and will soon become law. This bill was intended to end, once and for all, the confused debate about statutory status of charter schools—a debate that confounds other legislative progress and decisions. Bills to provide facility aid and/or restore a local contribution for resident students did not pass this session.

The 2008 legislative session may be New Hampshire's breakthrough year, paving the way for sustainability of these 21st-century, chartered & choice school models.

CHARTER SCHOOLS and CHOICE NEWS NATIONWIDE

NEW HAMPSHIRE CENTER FOR SCHOOL REFORM
During 2007-2008, we have kept the state, country, and world, apparently, advised of New Hampshire’s progress toward choice, chartered schools. Our website is visited by thousands of people each month who regularly download our resource documents and radio shows, particularly materials on finance, governance, and facilities. Our interviews profiling public chartered and private schools throughout New Hampshire are downloaded constantly. We’re so glad this information is useful.

This legislative season, we monitored 35 to 50 bills on charter schools, school funding, and education, creating a graveyard for bills that fell off the active list and carefully following bills that survived to the session’s end. A myriad of email requests for technical assistance and information about charter schools in this state are answered, in support of research interests of graduate schools, public policy centers, and parents. Even students write to us asking: "Is there a tuition? No? How do I apply?"

Groups interested in formulating a charter school visit us in person to share ideas and grasp procedural requirements. We meet with school districts, city officials, administrators, teachers, parents, and businesses.

We've created maps that show locations of charter schools and the residences of students. Over 100 communities have one or more students attending one of the state’s 11 operating charter schools. Public interest in the mission-driven charter school model is growing steadily throughout this state and region.

SCHOOLS SEEK FACILITY SUPPORT
New Hampshire's six continuing independent charter schools each have facility expenses not covered by public funding. Schools must raise $295,000 in facility funding for next year. We'd welcome hearing from businesses, foundations, and individuals willing to provide facility support this one year.

The Academy for Science and Design Charter School—the state’s first middle/high school for science and mathematics in Merrimack--seeks $30,000 for renovation to provide a chemistry lab. All students in grades 7, 8, and 9 have chemistry and physics each of their first three years.

The Academy for Equine Sciences Charter School seeks $30,000 to support their signature equine studies program--rent and utilities of the school’s farm space and the equestrian center contract for equine courses. This unique career-specialized school is co-located with an equine veterinary hospital in Rochester. Students have weekly clinical rounds. Next year the school will look for a final school location.

Strong Foundations Charter School—specializing in young children’s reading and early prevention of school failure—seeks $100,000 for a 60 x 60 addition. They’ve received commitments for $150,000 in labor and materials if the $100,000 can be raised. They also need 200 feet of fencing to better enclose the outside area for children.

Surry Village Charter School—the state’s first village charter school K-6—seeks $45,000 for their facility rental. While the school negotiates for a permanent location, it must continue to rent portable classrooms now located in the center of Surry, a town of 700 just outside of the City of Keene.

Seacoast Charter School—the state’s first elementary school with a fabulous arts emphasis--seeks $40,000 for rent and lease expenses next year. Seacoast is currently located in Kingston and has relatively modern school space, but must rent.

Cocheco Arts & Technology Academy Charter School—a high school for performing arts and related technology—seeks $50,000 for renovations of anticipated move to the arts and cultural center in downtown Dover-One Washington Center.

We’d appreciate our readers helping to identify possible supporters since the legislature did not act this year to provide any facility funding for these six charter schools.