In a sparse article by Mary Beth Faller, the CCUSD reporter for the Arizona Republic, we have confirmation of a post from a commenter at CCUSD Watch that Cave
Creek Unified is considering changing some if its elementary schools to (we assume) district sponsored charter schools.
Not only is the article bare bones, but the most important fact in the article is wrong…
Charter schools typically get less revenue per student because they cannot ask voters for bond money or receive funds from the School Facilities Board.
Charter students receive more money per student.
It does has a quote from the district superintendent…
"It's a different funding structure, but they get real-time funding and not delayed funding," Burdick said Friday. "Clearly, the Legislature is favoring charter and market-driven schools, and we want to be part of that."
She said each elementary school already has a charter-style signature program and the move could eventually lead to higher enrollment.
Let’s hope that Ms. Faller gets some quotes from governing board members and Lori Hart, the Cave Creek Education Association President, but there you go, if the district magically calls its schools “charter schools”, enrollment will increase. The irony here of course is that the most charter like school in the district (DSA with CK and uniforms) is having the most trouble with achievement, enrollment, and parent involvement.
So sorry Dr, Burdick and Mr Schaefer, smart parents choose schools that set high expectations, have a challenging curriculum, and do not chase pedagogical fads. You can call your signature programs, charter style, and you can sponsor charter schools until you are blue in the face, but nothing will change as long as your students are performing like this and you insist on differentiated instruction, clustering of gifted, and that 21st century non-sense.
CCUSD Watch has called for the district to open a NEW charter primarily for operational flexibility, FOR YEARS and converting schools to district sponsored charters may get you some extra funding, but it truly just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Without a complete overhaul of the mindset of the district to one of excellence and achievement the district will continue its tradition of mediocre stagnation.
In case you missed it, the comment posted here implies that the charter conversion is a money grab…
“THIS IS NOT ABOUT WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE KIDS! THIS IS ABOUT MONEY! AS CHARTER SCHOOLS, CCUSD WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY INTO TEACHERS' RETIREMENT.
BURDICK SAID THE SCHOOLS WILL RECEIVE AN EXTRA $1500 FOR EVERY KID THEY ENROLL. SHE ALSO SAID SHE IS GOING TO "CHARGE" TO BE IN CCUSD FACILITIES, TAKING THAT EXTRA $1500 THAT WOULD GO TO THE SCHOOL AND BRING IT BACK TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE!”
Mary Beth Faller's statement is correct... charter schools TYPICALLY receive less revenue per student in NORMAL SITUATIONS where communities support their district schools at the polls. We are NOT in a normal situation, therefore, YES, we will end up above the rock-bottom funding our community provides if we take these schools charter. The statements regarding retirement are not true... informed teachers and involved parents attended meetings all week and know the FACTS. It's a great proposal and I hope the board approves it.
ReplyDeleteGood for CCUSD for thinking outside the box and trying their best to save our most cherished programs including Art, Music and PE. It is obvious the tightwad voters in Cave Creek do not support public education while neighboring districts seem to have no issues passing their 15% overrides and even technology bonds. CCUSD is doing a great job in overcoming distric ignorance and lack of support. I find it quite hilarious that Watch is having a problem with this decision. When I questioned them on this board back in March; "If CCUSD is doing such a terrible job, which district in our state would you sooner be more like?" their answer was that we need to be like Vail. CCUSD is emulating the Vail district model in turning many of their schools to district run Charter schools. They have been in discussion with Vail on how this worked for them prior to proposing this suggestion to the board. I applaud CCUSD for putting the interests of the kids first. Shame on you Watch for not standing behind your own words and supporting CCUSD with this decision. Your true Libertarian anti-tax dollar colors are starting to show. Have you changed your mind that we need to be more like Vail?
ReplyDeleteThis move will NOT save art, music, and P.E. In fact, most charters lack all three classes because their funding goes mostly toward teacher salaries and facilities. You need teachers to teach and a building to house the teaching. This is nothing more than a ploy made by Burdick to cut teachers and divert more funding to the administration of this district.
ReplyDeleteFIRE BURDICK NOW!!!
The last person that posted does not have a clue what they are talking about. Most charter schools are not district sponsored. This move could be what saves CCUSD teachers.
ReplyDeleteDon't you mean saves CCUSD teachers and administration at the expense of the students? C'mon it's high time CCUSD gives up the ghost and looks into some real solutions such as combining with another district.
ReplyDeleteNo but thank you for telling me what I meant. By the way - great idea about combining school districts. Which school districts should they look at joining? If only they could have joined a lower performing district sooner!
ReplyDeleteTaxpayers in both districts must vote on and approve a merger. Extremely unlikely to happen in CCUSD where retirees don't want their taxes to go up which they almost certainly would since the CCUSD tax rate is lower than surrounding districts.
ReplyDeleteQuestion...do taxpayers need to vote on the transformation to charter schools???? The plain and simple truth...save teachers by saving students. Students leave...we do not need teachers. Dr. Burdick needs to admit closing DAMS was a mistake and be humble...that is the first step.
ReplyDelete