Cooper vetoes big changes for NC charter schools
A Republican-backed measure have allowed taxpayer dollars to be used for North Carolina charter school buildings. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the bill, likely setting up another override battle.
Posted — UpdatedHouse Bill 219, the "Charter Schools Omnibus," would remove a cap on enrollment growth at low-performing charter schools and allow charter schools to automatically add enrollment and grade levels over time without state approval.
It would also allow the schools to give preference to students in certain preschools. The law currently requires admissions to be done by lottery, not by preference. And it would allow charters to enroll and charge tuition for out-of-state and foreign exchange students.
Currently, charter schools must secure and finance their own buildings. State and local taxes pay for the operating costs of charters, but not for their capital needs.
Counties would be authorized to raise taxes to generate the needed funds for charters but wouldn't be required to do so.
Supporters of the bill say it would even the playing field between charters and traditional public schools, which are already fully funded by taxpayers.
But critics say there's not enough funding available for traditional public school capital needs as it stands.
“This bill allowing more students to attend failing charter schools risks their education and their future," Cooper said in a statement Friday.
He said the State Board of Education should maintain oversight of charter schools' enrollment growth.
"Diverting local resources to build charter schools without clear authority on who owns them risks financial loss to county taxpayers who have no recourse,” Cooper said.
It's the 14th veto of the year for Cooper. Six are awaiting override votes. The previous eight have been overridden already.
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