Seattle, 259 other districts oppose charter schools

With just days before the election, education leaders, teachers and parents from 260 of the state’s 295 school districts are making a last ditch effort to defeat I-1240, the measure that would permit charter schools.

In a letter released Thursday, the opponents warned charter schools would siphon millions of dollars from public schools without improving education.

Seattle Schools Superintendent Jose Banda expressed his concern on the same day the district announced it has fallen short of meeting the ambitious academic goals of its five-year plan.

Banda and the Seattle School Board argue charter schools would further hurt efforts to improve, The Seattle Times reports.

“The open letter shows that opposition to I-1240 is not bound by geography or income,” said Michael DeBell, Seattle School Board President. “It’s a bad plan for every student and parent in Washington, and that’s why so many people who have looked into I-1240 have come out against it.”

DeBell said the state should not approve new charter schools until it fully funds charter schools as mandated by the state Supreme Court in the recent McLeary ruling.

Supporters argue charter schools simply provide flexibility and choice and don’t hurt other schools because they receive funding based on student enrollment just like traditional public schools.