WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today National Alliance for Public Charter Schools President and CEO Nina Rees released the following statement on the announcement that Carmen Farina was selected by Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio to be the next chancellor of New York City Public Schools:
We congratulate Ms. Farina on her appointment and look forward to working with her as she assumes this important role. New York City has the second highest number of students attending charter schools in the nation with more than 58,000 children enrolled last year. As Ms. Farina and Mayor-elect de Blasio develop their plans for NYC public schools, we encourage them to consider the vital role charter schools have played in increasing options and quality for students and families across the city. The rest of the country has always looked to NYC as an example of vibrant and successful charter schools and we hope that trend will continue.
During the New York City mayoral campaign, Mr. de Blasio proposed ending the city's innovative co-location of charter schools with traditional public schools as well as a shift to charging charter schools rent for space in public school buildings. A moratorium on co-location could eliminate more than 15,000 new charter school seats annually, and a rent charge could force charters to turn away 50,000 waitlisted families.
Earlier this month, National Alliance President and CEO Nina Rees sent a letter to Mayor-elect de Blasio requesting that he meet with her and leaders of New York City's charter schools to discuss how they can best work together. "I would welcome the opportunity to meet with Ms. Farina as well. We all share a common of goal of improving education in the city. Public charter schools are eager to be a part of those efforts given their track record in New York City around closing the achievement gap for low-income and minority students."
In October, the National Alliance joined nearly 20,000 parents, students, and teachers in a march across the Brooklyn Bridge to demonstrate the important role charters play in the city's public education system.
About the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is the leading national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the public charter school movement. Our mission is to lead public education to unprecedented levels of academic achievement by fostering a strong charter sector.