Additionally, charter schools do not have access to
equitable facilities funding or recurring and reliable state building aid for capital construction and renovation.
That's because the same district had
denied equitable facilities to dozens of charter schools, leaving many to pursue other options, including building or renting their own space.
Speaking of facilities, Bullis Charter and the Los Altos School District are still negotiating
for equitable facilities following a CA Supreme Court Decision a few months ago.
Students at Endeavor, the charter school in LAUSD that faced facilities - related uncertainty, were fortunate to go back to school in what Prop. 39 calls «
reasonably equitable facilities.»
Court challenges to state education - funding formulas at first dealt only with operating funds, but in the 1990s, reformers began to pursue
more equitable facilities funding in their lawsuits.
San Diego and Sacramento City unified school districts for example, said Borden, «have taken a step beyond Prop. 39» by instituting policies designed to assist charter schools in securing and
maintaining equitable facilities.
Topics covered in the past
include equitable facilities, academic accountability and school performance, policy engagement, special education, renewals support and more.
Based on the local need
for equitable facilities and districts» track records of compliance with Prop. 39, CCSA has already undertaken intensive work in San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland, Fresno, Chico, and Sacramento; this year we will additionally focus on supporting charter schools seeking Prop. 39 facilities along the Monterey Peninsula.
Securing
equitable facilities is one of the biggest challenges faced by charter schools.
Each year we partner with our members to carry the charter message to legislators at the Capitol for equity in the state budget, improved funding, and access to
equitable facilities.
This week, several stories were profiled in the media highlighting one of our top priorities,
equitable facilities for charter schools.
The year was filled with celebrations for sure but we also are keenly aware of many challenges that await us in 2013 as Governor Brown announces his budget proposal in January, critical electoral races take place, and we continue to advocate for
equitable facilities and funding.
The top issues identified by charter alumni so far include ensuring access to
equitable facilities, sharing best practices, and startup funding.
Learn more about CCSA's approach to ensuring that all charters have
equitable facilities.