RTTT weakness in charter support helped kill Utah's chances

Not enough efforts to help charter schools thrive was one of three areas that kept Utah from being considered as a finalist in the Race to the Top federal grant.

One of those weaknesses were a limit on charter growth, which has since been removed by the legislature.

If Utah reapplies in the future, the application should treat Charter Schools as education agencies that are treated equally with districts of similar size, instead of being eligible for a base of only five percent of districts.

SLSPA gets treatment

And nice treatment, in today's Trib.

These students are actors, musicians, singers and dancers at the Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts. The fledgling school, along with Tuacahn High School for the Performing Arts, is one of two performance-based high schools in a state where enrollment in private dance or music lessons seems as common as Little League registration.

The school opened four years ago as the brainchild of David and Shalee Schmidt. They ran their own vocal studio in Murray and had toyed with the idea of opening a performing-arts school.

Salt Lake School District was also looking into the possibility and chose to partner with Highland High, which had a noted arts program. That partnership allows students to take their academic courses at Highland, and music, dance or theater at SPA.

This year, enrollment stands at some 150 students, and 28 seniors will graduate, 20 more than in the school's first class in 2007. Officials predict enrollment might hit 200 next year. Recent recruitment efforts have translated to two to three calls a day from interested parents.

Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts presents Brian Friel's "Dancing at Lughnasa."

When » The play opened Thursday and continues at 7 p.m. March 26-27 and 29, with a 2 p.m. matinee March 27.

Where » Clayton Middle School, 1470 S. 1900 East, Salt Lake City.

Tickets » $5 for students, $7 for adults, at the door.

Learn more » For more information about the fledgling charter school, call 801-466-6700 or visit www.saltlakespa.org.

Another district proposes cutting teacher pay and hours

Washington County School District has proposed a budget that calls for reduced working hours and reduced pay for its teachers. From the DNews:

"The Washington County School District is facing a $5.8 million budget deficit. Superintendent Max Rose says the cuts shouldn't affect students, but all district employees are expected to take two days off without pay. Rose says the furloughs would save the district about $1 million."

Only two schools get funded through Race to the Top

And they are Delaware and Tennessee.

NAPCS is happy because these two states took steps to expand charter growth in the last year.

Good Foundations highlighted

The DNews has a story on the fantastic deal that Good Foundations Academy (a newly approved charter school now set to open this fall) worked out with a local private school to lease facilities. Well, that ought to be news because of the great deal for taxpayers. A charter was able to take over an existing building at low cost, saving taxpayers the ultimate and long-term expense of a new school facility.

Instead, this gets 1,500-word treatment because the private school is religious, and the chair of the charter school board is a pastor. With no evidence of collusion or impropriety, people like Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State just assume there will be.

Does the fact that USOE's charter school staff doesn't observe teachers mean that those teachers are breaking the law by teaching religion in class? Don't be silly. In fact, the article cites three counter-examples, where in fact minor violations and allegations have been investigated and solved.

My concern for Good Foundations is financial. By receiving a waiver to open early and take advantage of this facility situation, they've put themselves in a situation where they need to open with no capital. They did not apply for a startup loan through the Charter Revolving Loan program, and their chance for a federal startup grant won't give them any funds until October--two months after they open.

So to Good Foundations, I wish a hearty and sincere "Good Luck."

Lots of education folks running for office

The DNews reports that many public and higher education employees (current and former) are running for the legislature. That could be good news if candidates and newly elected lawmakers bring a solid understanding of the public education budget and how legislative dictates impact students in the classroom.

But, it could bring a new collection of "system-firsters" into the legislature to stifle innovation and put charter schools in the cold drafty basement of the public education system warehouse.

None of the candidates highlighted in the article are mentioned as charter school folks. Instead there are two district spokespersons, a retired principal, and a leader of a local education association, among others.

Education Commission begins

Charter school leaders and education reformers, including Brian Allen and Robyn Bagley, met along with a crew of establishment folks and higher ed representatives in the first meeting of Governor Herbert's Education Excellence Commission.

Hopes are high (at least among people I see in the mirror in the morning) that this commission, under Herbert's leadership, will develop real legislation that addresses funding inequity.

All children in Utah have equal value, and should be funded equally in their education no matter which school they choose to attend.

Is laying off teachers "horrific"?

That's how one education institution termed layoffs when enrollment went down, forcing layoffs.

I find that this is typical of bureaucratic organizations--to put the needs of employees ahead of the students, or to consider the impact of anything on employees as more important than the effect on those served.

The ironic thing here is that the school in question is one for youth who have violated parole or who have committed violent crime. So the reduction in enrollment actually represents a significant reduction in violent crime. With fewer juvenile criminals, there are fewer teachers needed to educate them. Is that "horrific?"

Attend Caucus and run as a delegate

Become a Delegate at your Precinct's Caucus
Tuesday, March 23rd at 7:00 PM

As parents, citizens, and taxpayers it is not only our right but also our responsibility to steer the direction of our childrens' educations. They are our future. They deserve every opportunity to become the innovators, entrepreneurs, and future leaders of tomorrow. We must demand a voice and continue to seek meaningful solutions. In order to make this happen we must be informed and involved in the legislative process. You can do that by becoming a Delegate.

Watch a brief training VIDEO

Find your PRECINCT

See 2010 CANDIDATES running for office

Find out who your LEGISLATORS are

Caucus & Delegate Guide

What is a Caucus?
“Caucus” is a fancy word for a political meeting. Every two years, citizens of the same party living in the same voting precinct (i.e. neighborhood) get together in a neighborhood meeting called a Caucus. At the Caucus, they elect a few of their neighbors to be Delegates who will later select their party’s candidates for local political offices. In most neighborhoods, about 5 to 20 people attend their precinct’s Caucus.

When is my precinct’s Caucus?
Date:Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Use the links to the left to find your Caucus location.

What happens at a Caucus?
Each Caucus is hosted by a Precinct Chairperson. This is one of your neighbors who was elected to the position at the previous Caucus.

Opening of the Meeting
The Precinct Chairperson begins the meeting by leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance, and reading some documents from the party, including the party platform and open letters from the Governor and your US Congressmen. The Precinct Chairperson will also pass around an envelope to collect donations for the county party. It’s okay if you don’t make a donation.

Voting for precinct offices (such as Delegates)
After the opening comments, the voting for precinct offices (such as Delegates) goes as follows:

• The Precinct Chairperson will announce which precinct office will be voted on
• Anyone present at the meeting who wants to be elected to that specific precinct office stands up, gives their name, and states why they’re running for that specific precinct office
• Someone will need to second the person’s nomination. Almost anyone will do that for someone.
• Ballots are then secretly cast for that specific precinct office
• About 3-5 minutes after casting ballots, the results are announced

Why is it important to Become a Delegate?

• Delegates attend the party's convention where they choose who the political candidates will be in the primary and general elections. As a Delegate you have the power to ensure that the best candidates are chosen for elected offices, including Utah Senators and Representatives.
• Special interest groups who are protectors of the status-quo work to monopolize this political process. By attending your caucus & becoming a Delegate YOU can make sure this doesn’t happen!
• Education is one of the most critical issues facing our state. We need to elect and defend courageous political leaders who are willing to put children ahead of the system and enact innovative policy changes that will provide students with the skills they need to succeed.
• The 1 ½ hours you spend at your caucus isone of the best things you can do to make sure that elected officials in local and state offices reflect your values.

Run as a County Delegate at your Caucus

To become a County Delegate, you must attend your precinct’s Caucus on Tuesday, March 23rd. Since County Delegates are elected, you should bring 5 to 10 neighbors to attend the Caucus and vote for you. Begin making a list right now of neighbors to bring with you to your Caucus. The more people you bring, the better the odds that you get elected.

• When it’s time to vote for County Delegate(s) at your caucus, the County Delegate candidates (you) will stand up, give your name, and state why you are running for County Delegate – we will provide sample talking points if you desire.
• Someone will need to second your nomination. Almost anyone will do that for you.
• Ballots are secretly cast
• About 3-5 minutes after casting ballots, the results are announced.
• At the end of the caucus, please contact us immediately to let us know if you were elected or not. If you were not elected, let us know who was and which candidate they are leaning towards.

What Happens at a County Convention?
County Conventions are typically held at a convention center or high school and last a few hours on a Saturday morning. Typically, the time frames will look something like this (and sometimes much shorter): one and a half hours for registration, two hours for speeches, one hour for voting, and about one and a half hours to tabulate the votes
If your candidate for the State Legislature receives 60% of the vote from the County Delegates in your legislative district, that person will be the official party candidate in November’s General Election.

Candidates for State Board of Education

Here's a list of candidates who filed to run for the State Board of Education. This is quite a slate of candidates. If the right candidates are elected, the Board would be more likely to consider charters as an equal part of the public education system, and take steps to treat and fund charter school students equitably.

If establishment candidates are elected, I believe we would see less innovation, more bureaucracy, and the stunting of charter growth. Every incumbent drew challengers, but none more so than Kim Burningham in District 5 (Davis County).

These candidates now will be interviewed by a selection committee before Governor Herbert selects two candidates in each district to face voters in November.

State School Board Candidates

Candidate	Office
Keith M Buswell	District 2
Richard H Favero	District 2
Lisa Galvez	District 2
Monty B Hardy	District 2
David A Hicken	District 2
Ann Meeks	District 2
Burtis J Bills	District 3
Douglas G Bowen	District 3
Craig E Coleman	District 3
Robert E H Enger	District 3
D Clark Turner	District 3
Kim R Burningham	District 5
Diane Smith Cales	District 5
Nicole Toomey Davis	District 5
Ruland Gill	District 5
Aneladee J Milne	District 5
Lisa Reed	District 5
Randy C Smith	District 5
Brad Walters	District 5
Lawrence Wright	District 5
Hank Bertoch	District 6
John H Hohlbauch	District 6
Michael G Jensen	District 6
Joel Coleman	District 9
Daniel Steven Isham	District 9
Denis R Morrill	District 9
Milton C Witt	District 9
Laurel O Brown	District 10
Dixie Lee Allen	District 14
Virginia Yazzie Howard	District 14
Michael R "Mike" Miles	District 14
Johny Thayne	District 14
Tom Jett	District 15
Debra G Roberts	District 15
Paul B Terry	District 15

Legislative outcomes for charters

More detail later when I've been able to digest it all, but the key provisions from the legislative session are these:

• Colleges and universities, in addition to school districts and the state charter board, may now authorize charter schools
• Schools may now combine program funds of less than $10,000 with other funds--a big bureaucratic relief for charters and districts, unless the bureaucracy creates new reports that are just as or more onerous
• Local replacement funding increases to $1607 per student. That doesn't completely close the inequity between charter and district students, but it's a move in the right direction and at least recognizes the concept of funding equity (that all students have equal value no matter where they choose to attend school) in a hard budget year
• The WPU stays the same at $2577. News reports say that growth will have to be absorbed within that amount, but that doesn't make sense to me. I'll have to figure out how they can set the WPU at one amount and still cut funding if they are funding based on actual enrollment.
• 6,000 charter school students are planned for (though not yet funded) for the 2011-2012 school year. The "cap" on charter growth goes away after that, though in reality it may be replaced by an "invisible cap" if the State Board of Education chooses not to authorize any new schools or expansions
• A member of the state charter board will now sit as a nonvoting member of the Board of Education. I hope the big board sees that as a benefit--a voice of reason that will keep them from recommending 23% cuts to charter student funding while only a 2 percent cut for everybody else

I'm tired.

Controversy over charter funding on last legislative day

As I predicted Wednesday, the school funding bill originally would have "altered the location" of charter school local replacement funding (local property tax would gradually follow all students to charter schools) and created a furor among districts.

The Speaker of the House was nervous about such a "huge policy statement" is happening "very late in the session." Ron Bigelow, the chair of the budget committee, agreed.

I understand, but some are being inaccurate as they are quoted in the DNews and the Trib.

Here are some errors:

• Ron Bigelow: "Significant policy changes right at the end of the session are very difficult to do," he said, adding that the Legislature would need to study to matter further in the interim. Bigelow has been leading interim studies of this issue for over two years. Under his direction, charters and districts reached a consensus position for charter funding that he rejected! Had he been willing to honor his commitment to support the education community's consensus position there would be no controversy today.
• Chris Williams of Davis School District: "This is not an issue that should be brought up on day 44 of a 45 day session. This is an issue that not only we but also the public should have time to consider." This issue has been studied and introduced in different ways for years. Two years ago (in a bill sponsored by Rep. Bigelow), the proposal was to phase in the shift to districts over four years. This bill would have phased in the shift over thirteen years. It's still fine not to like the concept (as I expect Williams wouldn't) but it's dishonest to present it as some sort of new idea dropped at the last minute. I sympathize here though, because the talk leading up to the session was all about the consensus position worked out between districts and charters.
• From the article: "Charter schools would get $13 million for growth, while district schools are absorbing the cost of some 11,000 new children." Again, not true. There will be about 11,000 new students in public schools this fall, but about 70 percent of those will be in charter schools! Districts aren't absorbing 11,000 new students, charters are. Want to know why charter funding is going up at a faster rate than districts? Because charter schools absorb about 70 percent of the growth in public schools and money (at least state money) follows students.

Legislative developments

The legislature and the governor have agreed on a small cut to public education funding for next year. The governor had wanted no reductions (except for not funding growth, which would have required schools to absorb new students without new funding), while some legislative committees had plans for very large cuts. In the end, the cut will be about 1 percent, and without funding growth, schools will absorb another cut of 1.8 percent. In total, the funding reductions will be a little less than three percent, about what I figured.

Not all schools will be affected equally. Two days remain in the legislative session, and lots of horses can still be traded. Charters may come out pretty good, or slightly better or much worse than school districts, depending on what happens with specific line items in the appropriations bill.

Charters and unions are already gumming up the works and a consensus, or at least a majority, option will need to be found for any funding to pass at all. Charters and districts agreed on a plan that would have solved the problem, but there just wasn't support for that option among legislative leaders. So now the Senate has agreed to a plan that would have all local and state taxes following students to whatever school they attend. That's great, if there are 38 votes for it in the house.

Stay tuned.

Tenth anniversary story on charters

The DNews has a lengthy story highlighting the charter movement, specific schools, and the opposition that still exists as charter schools celebrate their tenth anniversary of educational choice in Utah.

Here's why schools lack local control

Rep. Ron Bigelow (R-West Valley City) lifted the curtain (if it was ever being hidden) about why districts and charter schools don't have the ability to make meaningful decisions at the local level.

In a debate on a bill that would allow the use of restricted building funds for two years (designed to help the Jordan School District and others avoid massive layoffs in a budget-cut year) Bigelow said, "Who controls the purse strings of the state of Utah? I'm sorry, it is not school districts. Do you think we have those rules in place for fun? For no purpose?"

Yup. School funding at the local level will continue to be directed and controlled in the marble halls of the dome in Salt Lake City.

Yet, Bigelow is also sponsoring one of my favorite bills, HB149 that would release restrictions on certain streams of funding when a charter or district's allocation was under $10,000. I love that concept and wish it were more boradly applied. Instead, it's limited to insubstantial amounts in ancillary programs.

But if we can enhance choice for parents and transparency in schools--two efforts that are well underway--we should also increase flexibility and local control.

Charter school near the 17th green?

Salt Lake City is considering whether to sell a portion of Rose Park Golf Course to Guadalupe School, which would then build an expanded campus serving more students near on the 17th hole.

Utah out of the Race to the Top

Utah's name was conspicuously absent from the list of 16 states and Washington, DC that were approved to continue in the Race to the Top grant program.

Had it been selected, Utah would have been eligible for up to $250 million in funding to implement new data and student tracking, curriculum standards, and performance pay, among other projects.

Why was Utah denied? Because we are too far west? (Colorado was the only western state selected.) Maybe because we are too Republican? Maybe because charters were screwed on the funding? (Even tiny districts were set for at least $1 million each, while charters with more students were allocated only $50,000 over four years.)

Probably not--Kentucky made the cut and charters aren't allowed there.

The reasons for Utah's disqualification weren't announced and won't be until the awards are made next month.

There's still round two, so Utah can try again. Here's hoping that if we do, charters will be treated more equitably. That could only help the application.

UEN gets funding to expand charters' internet

From the DNews.

The Utah Education Network received one of the largest federal telecommunications grants of its kind Monday to extend broadband Internet service to dozens of public libraries, charter schools and Head Start centers across the state.

The $13.4 million grant will allow the University of Utah to enhance and expand UEN — which already provides Internet service to more than 300 schools and other community anchor institutions — to provide fiber-based ethernet broadband services to 35 public libraries, 88 charter schools and seven Head Start centers.

Charter school student murdered on Law & Order

"We're officially a public school, too. We just get to operate with our own rules," said the administrator of Sunrise Academy to Detectives Lupo and Bernard on NBC's Law and Order last night.

At the beginning of the episode, the victim was shown tutoring a younger boy who wanted to attend the charter school the next year. Without giving too much away, I'll just say that the charter school itself plays a key role, and it turns out that the student was murdered at least in part because he attended a charter.

NBC doesn't stream full episodes of L&O, so I can't link to any video.