State Senator Luis Sepulveda, Assembly Member John Zaccaro Jr. and New York City Charter School Center CEO James Merriman at a rally in Albany.
Courtesy New York City Charter School Center
More than 8,600 Bronx charter school students are not receiving rental assistance. This is because of a funding disparity going back 10 years that makes these charter schools pay rent rather than direct funds towards extracurricular and afterschool programs.
That may all change thanks to legislation announced by two Bronx electeds earlier this month at a rally in Albany celebrating 25 years of New York City charter schools.
State Senator Luis Sepulveda (SD-32) and Assembly Member John Zaccaro Jr. (AD-80) told hundreds of families, charter school leaders and advocates that their legislation (S8522) aims to amend the Facilities Access Law from 2014 by providing rental assistance for all of New York City’s charter schools and not just some.
The Facilities Access Law was not retroactive; it excluded privately located charter schools that had either grown to capacity or had established grades before that law was passed. This prevented those schools from adding grades or they now have a long waitlist. This issue also does not apply to charter that co-locates with other schools. The result over the last 10 years means these many Bronx charter schools are spending thousands on rent when those funds could go toward programs that add to their education. The borough has the most charter schools in the city with 94.
“Every child should receive a fair education,” Sepulveda said. “Eighty-five to 90% of charter students are Black or Brown and their schools are growing. Some schools go up to eighth grade and they’re stuck. Parents come to me and demand charters be treated much like the DOE schools.”
Crystal McQueen-Taylor, the executive director of Students First NY, a pro-charter advocacy group is pleased that the Sepulveda and Zaccaro, Jr. have created…
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