- Provides tax dollars to create "independent public schools."
- These schools would not be required to abide by state public education regulations.
- These schools are not accountable to a locally elected school board.
- Privately appointed boards would decide curriculum, code of conduct, admission policy and academic standards.
- Each school is required to have one certificated employee per 25 students, although this person does not need to be in the classroom.
- Non-certificated staff at these schools are not required to undergo background checks.
- Any non-profit organization, whether in state or out of state, could start a school with only one child.
- Public schools would be required to rent currently unused classroom space and any space that is being used for purposes other than K-12 education (such as pre-school for disabled children or Head Start) to an "independent public school" for an indefinite period of time.
- These schools are not required to enroll more than 15% low income students.
- Should a parent choose one of these schools for his/her child, admittance is not guaranteed.
- If passed, voters in a district with "independent schools" must wait 6, 12 or 18 years to opt out of the "independent school" system.
- These schools would be exempt from the standards and safeguards that apply to public schools.
ATTENTION: PARENTS & ALL VOTERS!
Included on the November 5, 1996 ballot are two measures that
would have
a grave impact upon education in Washington State. The following is a
capsule summary of the provisions of the second measure. Please read these
provisions carefully and
to protect our educational standards!
To review the first measure, click the Initiative 173 icon at the end of
this page.
Initiative 177, the "Charter School Initiative", sponsored by Jim and Fawn Spady
Ballot Title: "Shall voters be authorized to create 'renewed' school districts where nonprofit organizations may operate publicly-funded 'independent' public schools with parental choice and revised state regulation?"
Note: This initiative is often referred to as the "Charter Schools Initiative." The words "Charter Schools" does NOT appear in the initiative. Washington State already has provisions for charter schools, frequently called magnet or alternative schools. To learn more about charter schools, click on the Alternative Schooling icon at the end of this page.
Read the fine print! Section 11(5) of I-177: If a renewed public school district owns school facilities that are vacant or are being used for purposes other than K-12 education, and if an independent public school offers to rent some or all of these facilities under a standard rental agreement at a reasonable monthly rent, the district shall accept the offer.
Any school district, if this initiative is passed, is in danger or being forced to rent space to an "independent public school", whether the district wants to or not, whether the space is currently occupied by another program or not, such as Head Start - even if it means the displacement or closure of such a program! As responsible voters, it is our obligation to ensure this initiative DOES NOT PASS by making the sacrifice of leaving the warmth of our homes, rearranging our schedules and casting our votes -
Lack of clarity in this initiative adds to the danger! What constitutes K-12 education is not specified. What other areas and programs will fall outside the heading of "K-12 education?" Student health services? Programs designed to coach parents to help with their children's homework? This may seem far reaching - but voters should keep in mind - many a case has been won on interpretation and mere technicallity!
An additional technicallity of this initiative allows "independent public schools" to continue leasing public school facilities indefinately as long as one criteria is met - the rent is paid on time! District growth or other student needs for these spaces are not taken into account at any point. If, after the "independent public school" begins to lease, public school student population rises past facility capacity, the overflow will have to either be bussed to other schools in the district at taxpayers expense, or taxpayers will have to build new facilities to accomodate - as long as the "indedpendent public schools" pay their rent on time!
Initiative 177 exempts "independent public schools" from the Education Reform Act passed in 1993!
Simply put, under Initiative 177 "independent public schools" would not be required to meet basic achievement standards! Initiative 177 is not an excellent education act - rather it undermines the requirement of any standards. The hiring practice of noncertificated teachers is irresponsible in and of itself. Not requiring a background check of such personell is putting our children at risk and in direct danger. Having no standards for cirriculum, testing or attendance leaves gaping holes in the future of our children in whose hands we will all be one day.
Initiative 177 traverses further into irresponsibility by ignoring the basic need for check and balance and accountability. Under this initiative, "independent public schools" are not required to answer to taxpayers, or any agency outside of their own choosing regarding the actual usage of collected public funds. Should there be any indiscressions discovered, no recourse is provided for. Passing this initiative would be comparable to passing any other program that has virtually unlimited access to public funds without any applicable rules or regulations. The entire reason our society has such features in place is to safeguard against abuse. Initiative 177 would be an open invitation to funnel off public funds without fear of legal retribution as no laws governing this initiative have been incorporated into it. Yes, one could argue that the high courts could apply pre-existing similar laws, but this is a long and once again, costly to the taxpayer process, during which abuse of the system under Initiative 177 would continue.
November 5th, 1996, will be a day when we protect our children, our schools, our future and our tax dollars by acting as Initiative 177 does not and !
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You are welcome to e-mail your questions, comments or pledge of support!
Note: Initiatives 173
& 177 were defeated. These pages remain in place for information purposes
only.
The e-mail address is no longer valid.