Litigating the past using the past
Despite having already moved along with its work to authorize the first charter schools in West Virginia, the creation of the Professional Charter School Board is the subject of a lawsuit filed by school choice opponents. They cite a state constitutional precedent from 1872 in their arguments; more details can be found here. The case likely will see no further action until the new year.
Fantastic opportunity for new facilities funding
This week, the Equitable Facilities Fund, a social-impact nonprofit that finances facilities for high-performing charter schools, announced a $500 million commitment to public charter schools across the country that are run by people of color. The plan will provide low-cost loans for school facilities to approximately 30 schools with leaders of color between 2022 and 2026.
Supreme Court case is one to watch
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week in the case of Carson v. Makin. At issue is whether a 1982 Maine law violates the First Amendment by excluding religious schools from the state’s “tuitioning system,” which pays for students to attend private schools. Among other potential outcomes, experts say that the case could open the door for religious charter schools depending on how the justices rule.
The view from Ohio
This week, the Ohio Senate passed SB 229 and sent it to Governor DeWine’s desk for signature. Among other provisions, the bill clarifies the means by which public schools in the state can offer remote and hybrid learning options for the remainder of the current school year. Full details of the bill can be found here.
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