Tom Curtis, Sen. Fedor: 11.15.05 Fedor Resp; Curtis To Sen Fedor; Charter Schools

From: Teresa Fedor
To: Thomas Curtis
Cc: Fedor Office
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 2:54 PM
Subject: RE: 100905 Curtis To Senator; Charter Schools
November 15, 2005

Thomas Curtis
5621 Griffith Ave. NW
North Canton, OH 44720

Dear Mr. Curtis,

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about the overall lack of accountability of charter schools in our state. As a former public school teacher, I have been working to find answers to the same questions you ask. I agree wholeheartedly that charter schools must exist on the same playing field as public schools for funding, accountability, and achievement.

As the ranking minority member on the Senate Education Committee, I have proposed several bills that concern operation of charter schools. Most significantly, I proposed SB 110, which proposes a two-year moratorium on the creation of new community schools and would create a study commission to investigate the effectiveness of charter schools in our state. I have also worked to ensure that our community school sponsors are held accountable for the schools they sponsor. As a result, the Lucas County Educational Service Center chose to close The International Preparatory School in Cleveland. If charter schools must exist in our state, they must serve the interests of the children and not the special interests of businessmen.

As you stated, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled our current system of school funding unconstitutional. The majority party, however, has made few changes to amend the wrongs in our schools. Arguably, changes have been reversed to return us to a pre-DeRolph school system and community schools have only added to the discrepancy between quality of education in our public school system. As a result, inequities and inadequacies continue to plague the schools and the children and future generations are paying the price.

I appreciate that you took the time to contact me with your concerns. I encourage you to continue to voice your concerns, and inform your peers of the reality of Ohio’s community school system. Should I be of further assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

TERESA FEDOR
State Senator
11th District

-----Original Message-----From: Thomas Curtis Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2005 4:45 PMTo: Brad Corso; Fedor, Sen. Teresa; Goodman, D; Jordon, Sen. Jim; Wachtmann, Sen. LynnSubject: 100905 Curtis To Senator; Charter Schools

Dear Senator,

It seems so hipocritical to me to throw funding at Charter Schools and then not require them to meet the same standards the public schools are required to meet. Just where does this justification come from and why does it continue to exist? You are placing Charter Schools on a whole different playing field with my tax dollars. This must be changed.

Would you kindly provide me with your explanation or reasoning for doing such? Most importantly, would you kindly tell me where you stand on this issue? This bias in favor of Charter Schools by our legislature and against public schools would seem to me to be unconstitutional. On the other hand, our current procedure for funding our schools has been deemed unconstitutional and the legislature has done little to address their mandate by the Ohio Supreme Court to correct the problem. Just where does the accountability of our legislature begin?

Thank you,
Thomas Curtis
Retired Teacher
5621 Griffith Ave. NW
North Canton, OH 44720
330-494-0333