RALEIGH – North Carolina senators debated how to ensure full access to charter schools as Senate Bill 8, a bill removing the state’s cap of 100 charter schools, moves through committee.
Republicans compromised with Democrats to place oversight of charter schools under the State Board of Education. The compromise creates an advisory committee with the authority to set rules and approve charter applications. The state board could override the advisory committee, but it would need a three-fourths majority vote to do so.
Future debate will focus on ensuring access to additional charter schools. Democrats want to ensure that poor and minority students receive free transportation and access to the free- and reduced-price lunch program. Republicans say additional requirements could hinder charter schools. They also say the lottery system of filling open seats provides equal access to charters.
To watch CarolinaJournal.tv’s full report on the charter school debate, click on the video.
Anthony Greco is an associate editor of Carolina Journal.