LANSING (WKZO AM/FM) — The Michigan Senate has approved a bill that would give charter schools a share of regional enhancement millage funds in the future. Six counties have the locally approved funding, including Kalamazoo, Muskegon and Kent Counties in West Michigan.
Backers of the legislation say it’s not fair they are being shut out. Opponent Curtis Hertel argued that not only does it sabotage the will of the people, but its stealing money from public schools and giving it to private corporations.
Kalamazoo Schools Superintendent Michael Rice called it a “travesty”, warning that because many of the charter schools have ownership that is headquartered out of state, the money could wind up out of state too.
He says because Charter schools are not required to support more expensive high schools, provide special education for students who come in speaking different languages or with other special needs, their costs are far lower than public schools.
Dr. Rice says he hopes it would not jeopardize future passage of the millage, which is not due for renewal until 2020, but it could.
Margaret O’Brien was one of four Republican State Senators who voted no. Rice says he hopes that none of the House members from Kalamazoo County support it either, if it comes up for a vote in that chamber.
