COLUMBUS Senate OKs measure on charter schools

The number of charter schools would be capped at 225 until July 1, 2005.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- A House-passed bill to reform the state's charter-school laws, though not perfect, provides more oversight over the controversial system, backers say.
"We have made major improvements to a system we knew had problems," said state Sen. Robert Gardner, a Madison Republican and the Senate's education committee chairman.
Gardner's comments came Wednesday as the Senate approved the long-debated bill, which makes major changes to the state's charter-school laws including expanding the kinds of school districts in which charter schools may be started.
The Senate approved the measure by a 19-12 vote. The bill must now return to the House to approve the changes made in the Senate. The bill's sponsor said he will be able to obtain the body's concurrence, perhaps as early as today.
"A good bill is one in which all interested parties get something in the bill," said state Rep. Jon Husted, a Kettering Republican and the bill's sponsor. "Is it a major improvement to our system of charter schools? I think without question it is."
Charter schools are public, nonprofit schools that operate independently of any school district but are under contract with a sponsor.
Number cap
Under the bill, the number of charter schools would be capped at 225 until July 1, 2005. The bill also would give school districts under "academic watch" the ability to sponsor charter schools.
Under current law, charter schools can exist in Ohio's 21 urban school districts and in districts in "academic emergency."
The bill also would require the state education department to oversee the sponsors of charter schools, but would eliminate the authority of the state Board of Education to sponsor them.
Instead, the bill would authorize Ohio school districts, the 13 state-assisted four-year universities, educational service centers and "educationally oriented" nonprofit groups to sponsor charter schools, also known as community schools.
The bill also allows a charter school to borrow against future revenue for an unspecified amount of time.
Critics blasted the bill.
"I still believe the bill is inadequate," said state Sen. Tom Roberts, a Dayton Democrat. Roberts said he would like to see more training for charter school operators and staff.
The bill also is drawing opposition from the Ohio Federation of Teachers.
Cites problems
Tom Mooney, the OFT president, said he sees potential good uses for charter schools. He added, however, that problems have plagued the state's charter schools -- several have closed and some still owe money to employees and other creditors.
"We ought to have a system that ensures that every choice is a quality choice," Mooney said. "We should not have a 'buyer beware' system where parents and taxpayers are victimized."
If the House concurs, Gov. Bob Taft is expected to sign the bill, said his spokesman Joe Andrews.
The House approved a version of the bill in March.
State officials created charter schools in 1997 as an alternative to traditional public schools.