Florida's public schools in legislative crosshairs again in favor of charters
The Manatee County school board and administration could be facing stiffer head winds in financing new schools. Getting voters to approve an extension of the half-penny sales tax for capital projects -- regrettably linked to a decrease in impact fees charged for new construction -- will be a challenge on its own. The Legislature could erect a higher barrier by approving a bill that would require 60 percent approval votes on local referendums.
Plus, House Republicans claim school districts are wasting money on construction projects, but the methodology is questionable. Critics of this allegation also assert this is the opening gambit to justify a shift of local tax money for school construction from traditional public schools to privately operated public charter schools -- an objectionable idea that some lawmakers have been suggesting for years.
Besides the 60 percent threshold, the Local Tax Referenda bill (CS/SB 1100) mandates referendums be held during primary or general elections, and not special elections. While Manatee County voters approved the half-cent surtax in 2002 by 61 percent during a special election, the mood of the current tax-averse electorate presents a tough test for the district.
CS/SB 1100 cleared all three House committees and now heads to the chamber floor. Over in the Senate, one panel approved the bill with two more committee stops pending. Should the measure become law and become effective in July, Manatee's school board would be required to place the surtax on the November ballot should the panel move forward this year. That was the plan regardless of a new state mandate, which looks legislative meddling in local affairs via an obstacle to tax measures.
While this bill erects a higher bar for approval, this year's battle over money for school construction is more troublesome. In the House, Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, is fast-tracking a bill (CS/HB 873) that would force school districts to share local property and sales tax dollars with charters.
His bill would also limit school district spending on capital projects, a provision he defends as an accountability measure. Fresen claims districts have misspent millions on projects over the past 10 years.
Angry district superintendents and school boards refute that claim, citing its inaccuracy and flawed methodology leading to invalid conclusions.
In a blog post, one school board chairman questioned whether a House subcommittee "is now trying to manufacture figures to jusify more defunding of public schools in order to fund charter schools."
The bill has passed all three committee referrals, clearing the final one last Wednesday. A related but not identical Senate bill (SB 1064) still faces two committees after passage in one.
$312 million to charters
The objectionable shift of local tax revenue to charters comes into focus with this comparison: From 2009 to 2014, charters received $312 million in capital funds while traditional public school got a pittance. Plus, the state lost $70 million in allocations to charters that subsequently closed. Little of that money was recouped.
Fresen's many connections to the charter school industry show a conflict of interest at work. He earns $150,000 a year as a consultant from an architecture company that specializes in charter school construction, the Miami Herald has reported. Fresen's sister and brother-in-law hold executive positions with a major charter company. While this is all perfectly legal under Florida law, it stinks to high heaven.
But there is clearer, sensible thinking over in the Senate. The House general appropriations bill gives the state's 650 charters $90 million for construction and $50 million to tradition public schools, which number 3,600. The Senate, on the other hand, budgets $50 million for school districts but nothing for charters. This will all be settled during budget negotiations, which start this week. A Senate counter-proposal to the House bill could very well limit charter funding. Like the House, the Senate measure constrains district spending on projects.
The bill also recognizes the financial abuses from some charters. A provision would prevent profiteering from charters and the properties the schools purchase or lease. One senator dubbed this practice "real estate schemes" for "private enrichment." Cheers to this prohibition on profiteering.
Meanwhile, Manatee County district administrators, school board members and other stakeholders should share their positions with our legislators, especially on diverting local tax revenue to the private sector. The state is unlikely to backfill that redirected money, so local taxpayers will be funding private enterprise.
This legislative favoritism toward charters is another sign that privatization and profits outrank traditional public schools.
This story was originally published February 21, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Florida's public schools in legislative crosshairs again in favor of charters ."