Peering Ahead

Charter schools are on a fast track in many parts of the country particularly in urban areas. Some city governments are closing neighborhood schools and replacing them, often, with less expensive charter schools. But looking ahead into the next generation should prove quite interesting.

As many of you know, charters typically get only 65% to 75% of the funding that the traditional neighborhood school receives to run its operations. As time passes, I think a more profound picture will be painted concerning charters, their successes and their needs.

Over a period of 20 to 30 years, what will be the true performance of the vast number of charters? Will the teaching staffs at the various charters, as needs become apparent, decide they have to form unions to fight for progress for the students and their respective schools? Right now, a good number of charter don't allow unions.

As time passes, what will become of the building infrastructure? When the bricks and mortar needs to be repaired/replaced, will the chater companies (profit and non-profits alike) stand tall and make the necessary improvements or will they turn back to the governing body and tell them they have to take care of these expenses?

My guess is that a good number of the charter and their affiliated companies may find that the answers to these questions aren't so simple.

Dick