Voters split on charter schools initiative
Nov 6, 2012, 5:33 PM | Updated: Nov 7, 2012, 9:43 am
It's a dead heat for charter schools in early election results Tuesday night. (AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
It’s a dead heat for charter schools in early election results Tuesday night.
Voters have rejected the idea of charter schools three times, in 1995, 2000 and 2004, but were just narrowly in favor of I-1240 Tuesday night (51-49 percent).
Supporters say the charter school proposal would open as many as 40 of the independent schools over five years and offer hope for struggling kids and their families.
Opponents say charters have a mixed track record in other states and they would take away money from regular public schools.
Proponents of charter schools raised more than $10 million to promote the idea, including $3 million from Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Opponents raised considerably less, but had the vocal strength of teachers represented by the Washington Education Association behind them.
Washington is one of just nine states that do not allow the independent schools.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
