Bill lets state board restrict charter schools

A bill that received final approval in the General Assembly on Tuesday would allow the Delaware Board of Education to restrict geographic areas, grades and academic emphasis served by charter schools if it's determined they will affect surrounding districts.

The House gave final passage to the bill on a 24 to 13 vote despite Republican opposition. The measure now awaits Gov. Jack Markell's signature.

House Minority Whip Deborah Hudson, a Fairthorne Republican, said charter schools are not sapping the resources of local school districts.

"They're not, and if they were I don't think the governor and his administration would go for that," she said.

The bill allows state education officials to define the process for considering impacts of charter schools on districts in the application review process. The State Board would approve those definitions no later than its October meeting.

"I think the bill does exactly what I was hoping it would do, which would give the decision makers who on a day-to-day basis are looking at the whole education system, it gives them the tools to consider how to try to better coordinate our limited education resources," said Sen. Bryan Townsend, a Newark Democrat, and the bill's sponsor.

Representatives from public and charter school associations, as well as the governor's office, have all supported the bill, saying it added clarity.

Contact Jon Offredo at (302) 678-4271 or at joffredo@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @jonoffredo.