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Charter schools take money from public schools

In the past I have brought to you letters showing that our State Department of Education has illegally funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars into, poor performing, for profit charter schools. Recently I received an email that, in simple terms, explains why this is true: “Implication of rulings by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that charter schools are private NLRB assumes jurisdiction of labor disputes in the private sector, while state employee relations boards are involved in public sector labor disputes. In most cases, NLRB has ruled that charters are private entities. And for good reasons. Charters, at least in Ohio, unlike public schools, have all the characteristics of private operations-private boards, and in many cases, private sponsors and management firms.

Charters are not political subdivisions; nor are they department or administrative arms of state government. Charters are administered by individuals who are not responsible to public officials or the general electorate. Certain politicians and charter promoters punctuate the contrast by comparing charters with government (public) schools. A recent ruling of NLRB is informative.

Just because the statutes characterize charters as public schools does not make them “public.” Charters are not needed for the state to fulfill its constitutional responsibility to secure a thorough and efficient system of public common schools.

Charters are not a part of the common school system in Ohio. They are not operated as a public entity and should not collect public funds.”

During this time of year I hear a lot of complaints about how hot our classrooms are and how difficult it is for students to concentrate under these conditions. A lot of these conditions could be eliminated with the funds that are taken away from true public schools and sent to the poor performing private charter schools. Many districts are in need of new facilities, but they can’t afford to build them because of a shortage of funds.

Again I urge you to ask your state senators and representatives.

Donald Atkins

Marietta

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