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The legislation, SB 592 by Sen. Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles) and SB 191 by Sen. Roderick D. Wright (D-Inglewood), removes a significant roadblock for charter schools wanting to access over $900 million in voter-approved Propositions 44, 55 and 1D funds for construction projects and simplifies the funding formula for charter schools.
“I am committed to ensuring California’s kids have the opportunity for a quality education and charter schools are proving that their innovative approaches can provide it,” said Schwarzenegger. “That is why I am signing these bills to cut red tape and simplify funding formulas to allow charter schools the chance to thrive here in our state.”
SB 592 amends existing law to allow a charter school facility’s title to either be held by a government entity or the charter school itself.
Because existing law states that funds cannot be released for school construction projects unless a school district holds the property’s title, charter schools can experience delays and even be prevented from ever being built.
This legislation removes the barrier to funding and puts construction on the fast track.
SB 191 simplifies the existing charter school funding formula to establish a uniform funding model for charter high schools, thereby eliminating a fiscal disincentive for school districts to approve petitions for charter high schools.
The number of charter schools in California has increased steadily – from 382 in 2003-04 to 746 in 2008-09. The Governor's Office said he is fighting to lift the cap on the number of charter schools allowed in the state entirely with his legislative package to make California eligible and highly competitive for federal Race to the Top funds – a $4.35 billion federal competitive grant program in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act designed to support education reform and innovation.
