Legislation to eliminate a special grant to charter school systems has cleared a first hurdle in the state House.
House Bill 651, sponsored by Rep. Howard Maxwell, R-Dallas, came out of the House Education Committee on Wednesday with a "do pass" recommendation. The bill would eliminate the extra money charter school systems receive annually based on enrollment.
Legislation creating the special allotment passed in 2008. At the time, charter systems were to receive $100 per student per year. Most recently, that's been pared to $88 per student.
Still Maxwell said the state can't afford to continue giving these systems the extra money, particularly now that Fulton County's school district has applied to become a charter system.
In the past, the money has gone to a handful of mostly smaller school systems. But more systems are expected to adopt the charter school model of school level-flexibility with accountability.
About the Author
