News, Culture and NPR for Central & Northern Michigan

Charter schools have access to millage money under new law

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Kevin Dooley

Governor Snyder signed a law Wednesday to allow charter schools to take money from local enhancement millages - money previously reserved for public schools.

Supporters of the law say it is important for charter schools to have equal access to the millages counties pass.

Peter Spadafore is with the Michigan Association of School Administrators, which opposes the law. He said public school programming and services will be reduced under the law.

“How an enhancement millage works is it’s an even amount collected across the community that taxes itself and it’s distributed out on a per-pupil basis to every district. Now in the future that will include charter schools.”

Spadafore said the millage money belongs in public school services - not enhancing charter school bottom lines.

At the news of the signing the Michigan Association of Public School Academies, which represents charter schools, tweeted quote “one huge step closer to charter school students being treated equally by the state.” Representatives for the association did not immediately respond for comment.

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