Strip the Charter School Commission of its authority!

A bill (HB397) to strip the Charter School Commission of its authority--will be heard in The Senate Education Committee tomorrow at 2pm!

We need to contact the Senate Education Committee members and inform them that the State Charter School Commission usurps local control.

The Commission often makes decisions about adding schools to a district without proper consideration of the district's ability to assume that responsibility. In Chicago, it means that resources at neighborhood schools have been marginalized because the Commission has forced the district to absorb more charter operations than it can afford to administer.

Passing this bill is especially important as the district is threatening budget cuts.

Charter operators have gone to the Commission to appeal the decision of the board successfully. There was no appeal function for the 50 neighborhood schools the district closed in 2013.

Please follow the link below to complete witness slip in support / (as a proponent) of HB397.

http://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/84753?committeeHearingId=13919&LegislationId=84753&SCommittees5/30/2016-page=1&committeeid=0&chamber=S&nodays=7&_=1464061677531