May 14: Polis Amendment Ensures Charters Will Receive Fair Funding Under School Modernization Legislation
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved H.R. 2187, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act. The legislation authorizes $6.4 billion for school modernization, renovation and repair projects for fiscal year 2010. Representative Jared Polis (D-CO) secured an amendment during committee mark-up on May 6 ensuring that, with respect to funding under the act, all eligible public charter schools are treated on a fair and equal basis with traditional public schools.
National Alliance for Public Charter Schools President and CEO Nelson Smith commended Rep. Polis for his successful amendment:
“All school facilities, including traditional public schools and public charter schools, should be safe and healthy learning environments for students. Thanks to Representative Polis, this legislation guarantees that students in all public schools, including public charter schools, will see their equitable share of modernization, renovation and repair funding. This is a vitally important issue of equity for the 1.4 million students in 4,700 schools in 40 states that have charter schools. Nationally, only 13 states and the District of Columbia provide charter schools with facilities aid, forcing the charters to use operational dollars on facility support. We greatly appreciate Chairman George Miller (D-CA) for recognizing the importance of this critical issue, and for Rep. Polis’s leadership in ensuring that charters are treated fairly in this piece of legislation. We hope the Senate follows with this statement of equality for all eligible public schools."
Funding under the act is allocated based upon the percentage of funds a Local Education Agency (LEA) received under Title I Part A funding in the previous fiscal year, with a minimum district guarantee of $5,000. The law will apply to public charter schools that are their own LEA and those that are part of a traditional LEA.
Write elected officials to show your support for green public charter schools by clicking here.
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The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (www.publiccharters.org) is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. The Alliance works to increase the number of high performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have access to quality public schools. The Alliance provides assistance to state charter school associations and resource centers, develops and advocates for improved public policies, and serves as the united voice for this large and diverse movement.
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