December 8, 2006

MEMO TO: New York State Leadership

FROM: Philip Rumore, President, BTF

RE: •Conclusive Proof of the Devastating Impact of Charter Schools on School Districts
      •Possibly Exchanging Benefits for Adults at the Expense of Children

Although a definitive study (enclosed) has clearly shown the devastating financial impact of charter schools on local school districts, rumors circulate that the cap on charters will be raised.

The enclosed study clearly proves that at the time of the study (December 2005), of the $51,510,800 sent by Buffalo to charter schools, $32,848,695 for which the Buffalo Public Schools could not compensate, was taken away from students in the Buffalo Public Schools.  Currently, close to 11% of the Buffalo Public Schools’ budget is flowing to charter schools.  Whatever happened to the 5% - 7.5% cap that was espoused by the Board of Regents?

No increase in charter schools should even be considered unless there is not a promise of a 5% cap on the amount of a school district’s O & M budget flowing to charter schools and funding to replace the funding lost to districts – funding that cannot be compensated for that is flowing to charter schools thereby depriving our students of resources.

While we hope it is not true, we continue to hear that the raising of the cap on charter schools will be tied to raising legislators’ salaries and an early retirement incentive for government employees. This would be exchanging benefits for adults at the expense of children.  We are confident you won’t let this happen.

cc:  Richard Iannuzzi, President, NYSUT
      Alan Lubin, Executive Vice President, NYSUT

Encl:  Definitive Analysis of the Charter School Funding Drain on School Districts