State approves charter school penalties

The State Board of Education approved new rules today that will penalize charter schools by stripping them of some of their state funding for not having enough licensed teachers.

State education officials argue that the new policy will hold charter schools more accountable for ensuring they have qualified teachers. But critics complain it's a harsh punishment that could force some charter schools to close.

"We're not raising the standards," said Melissa Bartlett, chairwoman of the state board committee that recommended the changes. "We're simply helping charter schools to comply with the standards."

Charter schools are taxpayer funded public schools that are supposed to provide innovative forms of education. State law limits the number of charters to 100.

To continue to receive state funding, a Charter school must have 75 percent of its elementary school teachers and 50 percent of middle school and high school teachers licensed or certified by the state.

In contrast, all teachers at traditional public schools must be licensed or actively seeking licenses.

The new policy puts a number financial consequences on charter schools that fail to meet the licensing requirements.

If a school is falling short of the requirements at the start of the school year, state dollars will be withheld from the headmaster's salary.

If it falls short the following month, state dollars would also be withheld from the salary of the highest paid non-certified teacher. If the school continues to fall short of the requirements for a third month, the state funding will be withheld from the next highest paid non-certified teacher. Finally, if it still short as of Feb. 1, state officials would recommend closing the school at the end of the school year.

The money would be restored to the affected school for the remainder of the school year once the it has enough certified teachers.

In the meantime, those charter schools may have a tough time replacing the funds because they have no access to additional state or federal funds.