Nearly 200 Oklahoma school districts suing state Education Board over charter school settlement

[TexasTowelie]

More than 180 Oklahoma school districts have joined a lawsuit fighting a surprise settlement that opened local tax dollars to charter schools.

The Oklahoma State Board of Education shocked the state's education sphere on March 25 when it unexpectedly settled a 2017 lawsuit with the Oklahoma Public Charter School Association. The board agreed to allow charter schools and virtual charter schools to tap into local tax revenue, which was previously reserved for traditional school districts.

Fearing the settlement could divert millions of dollars from traditional public schools, 187 districts — representing urban, suburban and rural areas of the state — asked the Oklahoma State Supreme Court on Friday to nullify the state board's decision.

The participating districts educate 400,000 of the 700,000 students attending Oklahoma public schools.

Read more: https://www.examiner-enterprise.com/story/news/2021/05/02/oklahoma-school-districts-sue-state-board-education-charter-school-settlement/4916101001/
(Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise)

[Throck]

1. I guess I don't understand the implications of funding charter schools?

[Phoenix61]

2. It shifts tax dollars to private schools that are exempt

from public school standards. It’s the privatization of public education. DeVois was a huge champion of charter schools. The data is clear that they do not work and in most cases are less effective than public schools. New Orleans experimented with turning all its schools over to charter after Katrina and it was a complete and utter failure.

[SheltieLover]

3. +1,000!

[Throck]

4. Are catholic schools considered charter schools?

[jimfields33]

5. No. Definitely not.

Catholic schools do get bus service which I guess could be considered tax money. But nothing to schools directly. Also catholic schools don’t get own bus. Normally kids get on same bus but are dropped off at the Catholic school after the public school. At least in Pennsylvania it works that way.

[Throck]

6. Now I'm really confused.

My ex brother in law, his mom was a catholic high school math teacher. She loved her job, loved her religion but the catholic school being non union she made 60% of what public schools made. She was content with her decision.

I'm still boggled about the concept if charter schools. My kids have been out of school for a good 15 years which is why I've never heard of them.

[Phoenix61]

8. No, they are straight up private schools.

“Charter schools are part of their local public school districts; they don't charge tuition. Individual schools have contracts (or charters) with their districts that outline a management structure, funding, student expectations, and measures of success. As long as they uphold the terms of that contract, charter schools can operate outside most of the laws and regulations that govern public schools in the district.”

Private schools are completely independent. Florida provides vouchers that parents can use at any school so they are funding private schools. DeSatan strikes again.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2020/06/25/desantis-expands-floridas-school-voucher-program/%3foutputType=amp

[Throck]

9. Very interesting; thanks

[tanyev]

7. Hmm, I wonder how many members of the SBOE got some really nice benefits before that settlement?