SB 176 CONCERNING CHARTER SCHOOL PARTICIPATION IN DISTRICT BOND ELECTIONS passed through senate with a unanimous vote and house with a 64-1 vote in favor of the bill. Rep. Debbie Benefield (D-Westminster) was the lonesome
no vote.
Why the amazing bipartisan support for including the charter schools in bond elections?
I can list plenty.
But what many people don't realize is that when it came to SB 176, charter schools and bond elections-it wasn't just the charter's best interest kept in mind-but the tax payer.
Colorado public charter schools, contrary to traditional public schools, do not receive funding to cover the cost of school facilities. Sure, they receive state and federal per pupil funds, apply for grants and donations. But when it comes to operational funds charter schools are operating in a
disadvantage. Majority of charter schools dip into the per pupil finds to pay for such costs.
Some states are solving this issue by granting its charter schools separate funding for lease payments or mandating that the school districts permit charters to use unused space in district owned buildings. Sometimes charter schools may purchase or lease facilities from the district. This unfortunately presents a new issue-not for the district-but for the tax payer.
"Now, let's look at this for a moment. The school district normally issues bonds to purchase a school building. Taxpayers pay property taxes that pay off the bonds. So, this building is later sold to a charter school that pays for the building out of...you got it...taxpayer money."
SB 176 is a prudent step in solving the dilemma. Instead of burdening our public school districts permanent landlords or school building sugar daddies, the law (waiting to be signed by Gov Ritter) reads that charter school buildings should be included in local bond elections to be funded directly by the tax payer.
As Dr. Jim Christensem, DCSD superintendent pointed out: including charters in local bond elections will also offer charter schools the same advantageous interest rates as district schools, which will save charters money, hence save the tax payers as well.
When Gov. Ritter signs SB 176 into law our public schools can once more view each other as education partners, not as a return on financial investment.