Stories featured in Ohio Charter News Weekly may require a paid subscription to read in full.
The basic message
The editorial board of Vindy.com seems to agree with the basic findings of the Ohio Pupil Transportation Workgroup’s recent report—that is, that student busing is a large scale mess right now and things need to change for the better. Unfortunately, they also seem to believe that only one of the numerous recommendations of the report—spend more money on transportation—is achievable here in Ohio.
Court hearing in Oklahoma
The founders of a proposed religiously-affiliated charter school in Oklahoma appeared in federal court on Wednesday to argue that their school should be able to open even though the state charter board turned down their application back in March. “Oklahoma makes room in its charter program for schools of all shapes and sizes, from those focused on science and fine arts to language immersion and classical education,” said an attorney representing the National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation in a statement prior to the hearing. “The one it refuses to make room for is a faith-based school. That is religious discrimination, plain and simple.” There is no timeline for a ruling from the court, but the foundation argued for a preliminary injunction on the Oklahoma charter board’s ruling to allow them to open while litigation plays out.
Trial date set in Missouri
A trial to determine the constitutionality of a Missouri law that expanded charter school operation to Boone County is scheduled to begin there on September 10. Opponents argue that lawmakers drafted the bill in a specific way to apply only to Boone and that it thus violates the constitutional ban that forbids local or special laws when a general law could apply. A story to watch.
New lawsuit in New York
A twisty tale from the Empire State: The New York State United Teachers union (NYSUT) this week filed a lawsuit to block Diamond Charter School from opening in a temporary location. At issue is the fact that Diamond Charter School was approved to open in the town of Hempstead this fall, but its permanent building is still under construction. Rather than delay another year, school leaders found a temporary home in the neighboring town of West Hempstead that would allow it to begin serving students starting in September. NYSUT said the authorizer approved the relocation without completing analyses required under state law regarding the impact the move would have on families and school districts and that there was widespread public opposition to it. But Diamond’s founder and executive director said, “This is not about taking care of families and students and children. This lawsuit is about the vested interests that the union has, and quite honestly, it is disappointing.”
Ending on an up note
The Georgia State Charter Schools Commission voted Wednesday to approve four new charter schools around the state. This coverage focuses on a group of metro-Atlanta parents who have fought for more than a year to reestablish their closed district elementary as a charter school. The Spalding Academy for Innovation and Learning is scheduled to open in fall 2027. Kudos!
*****
Did you know you can have every edition of the Ohio Charter News Weekly sent directly to your Inbox? Subscribe by clicking here.
