Final
Charter Schools
SCHOOL FINANCE SYSTEM
Votes:
Action Taken:
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09:13 AM -- Charter Schools
Nina Lopez, Public Affairs Director at the League of Charter Schools and Dick Murphy, Ph.D., came to the table to address the committee on charter schools. Ms. Lopez provided the committee with two handouts (Attachments A and B). Ms. Lopez introduced herself and provided information on the League of Charter Schools. She addressed issues surrounding charter school funding, including capital funding issues.
09:16 AM
Dr. Murphy introduced himself to the committee and described his background. He provided a handout (Attachment C). Dr. Murphy spoke to charter school funding. He noted that charter schools are operating with approximately 2/3 of the available General Fund dollars. He addressed the issue of overrides.
09:22 AM
Dr. Murphy continued, noting the differences in the way charter schools operate versus school districts due to funding disparities. He mentioned the performance of administrative and operational tasks by parents and school board members, lower pay for teachers and administrators in charter schools, and charter school facilities.
09:28 AM
Dr. Murphy said that, as a state, Colorado has created a separate class of students: students whose parents choose to place them in charter schools. He noted that the way charter schools are funded in Colorado may open the state up to the possibility of lawsuits. Dr. Murphy and Ms. Lopez responded to questions from Representative King. Ms. Lopez provided background on the state's moral obligation with regard to charter school bonding to the committee in response to one of Representative King's questions.
09:34 AM
Representative King asked follow-up questions on bonds to which Dr. Murphy responded. Ms. Lopez continued her responses to Representative King's questions, addressing state education fund dollars going to charter schools for facilities expenses and the
Giardino
lawsuit and how it relates to charter schools.
09:40 AM
Representative King asked a follow-up question regarding charter schools facilities needs assessments. Ms. Lopez responded. Senator Windels remarked on Representative King's question. Ms. Lopez responded to a question from Representative Merrifield regarding capital funding per pupil in school districts versus charter schools. Representative Pommer remarked on the
Giardino
lawsuit. Ms. Lopez responded, addressing Senator Windels' and Representative Pommer's remarks.
09:48 AM
Senator Windels commented on recent legislation regarding bonding and asked about earlier comments regarding charter schools operating on 2/3 of available funding. Ms. Lopez responded, clarifying the earlier remarks. Representative King asked additional follow-up questions addressing Referendum D. Senator Windels spoke to Representative King's question.
09:54 AM
Dr. Murphy provided closing remarks to the committee.