District Officials in D.C. Looking for Funds to Support Conversion of Catholic Schools to Public Charter Schools

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/29/AR2008062902002.html

District officials in Washington, D.C. say they do not yet have the money to support the conversion of eight of the District's 28 Catholic schools to secular public charter schools. They have told the nonprofit operator, Center City Public Charter Schools, that its first quarterly payment from the city -- due by July 15 under District law -- will be delayed. Public charter school advocates say the situation underscores the poor level of coordination between Mayor Adrian Fenty, the D.C. Council, and D.C. Public Charter School Board. This month, the D.C. Council approved $366 million for 63 public charter schools as part of its fiscal 2009 budget. Officials said that it did not include Center City Public Charter Schools in their budget planning because its application was not approved by the D.C. Public Charter School Board until June 16 -- three months after the District's spending blueprint was completed. The Catholic school conversion was also atypical, they said, because of the quick turnaround involved. Most new public charters spend 12 to 15 months finding a building, hiring staff members and enrolling students. Center City's plan involved a set of existing schools ready to re-open as secular institutions in the fall. Public charter school supporters said the mayor and the council had significant lead time to prepare given the Archdiocese's announcement about conversion early last fall. "This couldn't have been to anyone's surprise," said charter board Chairman Thomas Nida. The schools will open as planned, using lines of credit and foundation grants to meet any immediate cash needs.

Source: Washington Post (free registration required)
Date: 06/29/2008