What's happening
This bill suspends new charter school applications and revokes unlaunched charters in New York State from April 1, 2017, to April 1, 2019.
Why it matters
Aims to protect public school funding during a fiscal crisis. By halting new charter school approvals and revoking charters for schools that haven't opened, the bill seeks to prevent further strain on local school district budgets and property taxpayers, especially since districts must pay charter schools per-pupil costs even as overall state aid may be reduced.
Targets urban and small city districts facing financial hardship. The bill notes that charter schools are mainly established in areas already experiencing declining tax bases and population loss, which could intensify financial hardship for small city and urban public schools if more charters open.
Temporarily shifts state education policy priorities. By suspending the expansion of charter schools for two years, the legislation prioritizes stabilizing traditional public schools and local government finances over charter school growth, possibly reflecting broader debates about resource allocation and public vs. charter education models.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Pause New Charter School Approvals
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2957
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 18, 2017
Introduced by Sen. BRESLIN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to suspending the granting of charters for proposed charter schools not acted upon prior to
April 1, 2017; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative findings. Due to a devastating fiscal crisis not seen since the great depression, New York state faces staggering budget gaps for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, local governments face the prospect of reduced state revenue sharing and local school districts face flat or reduced education aid, putting even greater pressure on beleaguered property taxpayers.
Chapter 4 of the laws of 1998, which enacted the state's charter school law, created a funding scheme that requires the public school district of a student who enrolls in a charter school to pay the charter school 100% of the district's prior year average approved per pupil operating expense. School property taxes are by far the highest local tax burden for New York state residents and redirecting precious resources at a time of fiscal crisis will place additional burdens on local taxpayers. Moreover, charter schools have primarily been established in urban areas that face eroding tax bases and declining populations. Small city school districts are especially hard hit by the establishment of charter schools.
The legislature therefore finds that it is in the best interest of students and taxpayers throughout New York state to suspend the charter school application process as of April 1, 2017. Furthermore, a proposed charter school shall have its charter revoked if it has not commenced classes prior to August 31, 2017.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07546-01-7
S. 2957 2
§ 2. Section 2851 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-a to read as follows:
1-a. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article to the contrary, on and after April first, two thousand seventeen, no application to establish a charter school shall be accepted or acted upon by a charter granting entity. Provided, further, that a proposed charter school that has been granted a charter and has not commenced classes prior to September first, two thousand seventeen shall have such charter revoked and no further action shall be taken by a charter granting entity on such application.
§ 3. This act shall take effect April 1, 2017 and shall expire April 1, 2019 when upon such date the provisions of this act shall be deemed repealed.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to suspending the granting of charters for proposed charter schools not acted upon prior to April 1, 2017; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Summary of provisions
Notwithstanding any other provision of this article to the contrary, on and after April 1, 2017 no application to establish a charter school shall be accepted or acted upon by a charter school granting entity. Provided, further, that a proposed charter school that has been granted a charter and has not commenced classes prior to August 31, 2017 shall have such charter revoked and no further action shall be taken by a charter granting entity on such application.
Justification
Due to a devastating fiscal crisis not seen since the Great Depression, New York State faces staggering budget gaps for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, local governments face the prospect of reduced state revenue sharing and local school districts face significantly reduced education aid, putting even greater pressure on beleaguered property taxpayers. Chapter 4 of the laws of 1998, which enacted the state's charter school law, created a funding scheme that requires the public school district of a student who enrolls in a charter school to pay the charter school 100% of the district's prior year average approved per pupil operating expense. School property taxes are by far the highest local tax burden for New York State residents and redirecting precious resources at a time of fiscal crisis will place additional burdens on local taxpayers. Moreover, charter schools have primarily been established in urban areas that face eroding tax bases and declining populations small city school districts are especially hit hard by the establishment of charter schools. Therefore it is in the best interest of students and taxpayers throughout New York State to suspend the charter school application process. Furthermore, a proposed charter school shall have its charter revoked if it has not commenced classes prior to August 31, 2017.
Legislative history
2013-14: S.1157 Remained in Senate Education Committee 2011-12: S.1192A Remained in Senate Committee on Education 2009-10: S.334/A.6447 Remained in Senate and Assembly Committees on Education 2007-08: S.798A Remained in the Senate Committee on Education
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect April 1, 2017 and shall expire April 1, 2019 when upon such date the provisions of this act shall be deemed to be repealed.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.