Legislative Alert: February 10, 2023

President's Message

Oppose Charter School Expansion  
The New York State AFL-CIO is strongly opposed to the Executive Budget proposal to alter the state’s cap on charter schools and allow for over 100 new charter schools to open in New York City. The proposal would allow failed charter schools to reopen without counting toward the cap, and it would eliminate the regional cap in favor of a statewide limit. This would make open slots from the rest of the state available to New York City, which is currently not allowed.

Charter schools are harmful to students in public schools for many reasons, not the least of which is that they drain funds away from public schools and disproportionately reduce resources for the vast majority of students that public schools serve. The charter school approval process is disjointed and inconsistent across approval entities and as result, charter schools are authorized with varying standards. Furthermore, public school districts and local taxpayers that are directly affected do not have a voice when it comes to the fiscal and educational impact that will occur.

Charter schools are less transparent about their enrollment and acceptance policies, as well as their financial practices, which is concerning because they can also utilize private funds with little or no oversight. Charter schools are not held to the same standards in serving students and do not serve all student populations, including those with disabilities, language, or housing barriers. They are not subject to the same scrutiny as public schools regarding how they operate, allocate funds, select students and other measures that ensure public accountability, oversight and input.  

Charter schools are publicly funded, public entities that receive direct student aid. In New York City, they also receive facilities aid and many are co-located with existing public schools. The law should therefore be amended to hold them to the same important labor standards and requirements as all other public entities, including the Taylor Law, prevailing rate law, Wicks Law and other important safeguards in State Finance Law and Education Law.

Mario Cilento, President

Upcoming Meeting

LABOR LOBBYISTS MEETING 
Monday, February 13, 2023, 1:00 p.m. 
Assemblymember Latoya Joyner, Chair of the Committee on Labor, will be the guest speaker.