Ann Dornfeld

Stories

• 

  Charter Schools Initiative Passing Narrowly

  The initiative to allow charter schools in Washington is narrowly passing with 51 percent of the vote. This was the fourth time the state’s voters considered charter schools. Supporters said charters would expand students’ educational options because charters aren’t bound by district or union rules.The latest polls predicted an easy win for charters. Before election results came in Tuesday night, the mood among I-1240 campaign party-goers was festive. Reporters at the party grumbled, though, that they were relegated to a blocked-off corner of the room and not allowed to mingle with guests. Eventually, League of Education Voters CEO Chris Korsmo told the crowd that with half the ballots counted, the vote was too close to call. Korsmo told KUOW, "I’m really proud that we kept it positive and factual. It was a statewide campaign and we made a lot of contact with voters in a variety of ways."The charter school campaign was able to reach voters in so many ways in part by outspending the opposition 17 to one, at last count. Nearly all of the money behind I-1240 came from just a handful donors, including Bill Gates, Paul Allen, and Wal-Mart heiress, Alice Walton.The opposing People for Our Public Schools  campaign manager Sue Tupper said even those deep pockets couldn’t guarantee a landslide. "I’m very encouraged by the fact that $11 million didn’t do it. They couldn’t buy it," she said. "And that speaks volumes about the people of this state, their common sense, and where their hearts are with regard to education, and what they’re committed to."Opponents to I-1240 said the main problem with public education in Washington is lack of funding, not lack of options.But teachers' unions didn’t mount as strong a defense against charters as they had in elections past. Union officials said they were financially outgunned this year, so they decided to focus money on the governor’s race.Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn was reelected Tuesday after running unopposed. Dorn said if the charter schools initiative passes, his office will challenge it in court. "We’d bring that challenge not on what the concept of charter schools is about, but who is in charge of public schools in this state." Dorn said the state constitution says he should be in charge -- not a separate charter schools commission.If I-1240 passes, it would allow 40 charter schools over five years. The first eight charters could open next year.

  Nov 07, 2012 at 3:38 am
• 

  What Happens After Vote On Gay Marriage, Pot And Charter Schools?

  Marijuana legalization and same-sex marriage are hot-button issues on the Washington ballot. Even after the measures are decided, the debate will likely continue and changes won't happen overnight.Same-Sex MarriageReferendum 74 asks  voters to approve or reject a new state law that allows same-sex couples to marry. If the law is upheld, gay couples could start getting married December 9.Approval of R-74 would also affect nearly 10,000 couples who are registered as domestic partners. The partnerships would still be open to senior citizens but all other same-sex partners could decide to dissolve the partnership or convert it to marriage. If they take no action, the partnership would automatically convert to marriage in June 2014.If R-74 is rejected, the state law would be repealed. Campaigns on both sides say it’s unclear what their next move would be if they lose.  Some gay marriage supporters expect the issue would land back in the legislature.MarijuanaInitiative 502 seeks to legalize recreational marijuana for adults. If passed, state-licensed “pot shops” could spring up in about a year. That would give the state time to set up a regulatory system for growers and sellers.The feds’ reaction to legalization is a lingering question. The US Attorney for Western Washington, Jenny Durkan, has made it clear marijuana would still be illegal under federal law and if a conflict arises between state and federal law, they would have to figure out how to resolve it.Durkan also told KUOW her office tends to focus on high-level cartel operations. She says it’s very rare for them to pursue cases that just deal with marijuana.Charter SchoolsInitiative 1240 would legalize up to 40 charter schools in Washington over five years. If it passes, the state will appoint a new commission to oversee charters. The first eight charters could be authorized next year.State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn opposes the charter school initiative. He’s predicted legal challenges if the measure passes.If I-1240 doesn’t pass, this would be the fourth time Washington voters turned down charter schools.KUOW asked the Yes on 1240 campaign what they’d do if the measure doesn’t pass.They said they’re confident it will.

  Nov 06, 2012 at 8:12 am

• Charter Schools' Fiscal Impact Unknown

  If Initiative 1240 passes, public school funding would finance each charter school created under the law.It's impossible to predict the fiscal impact of charter schools. That's partly due to the complicated system of public school financing in Washington, which includes federal and state funding as well as local property tax levies."Known Knowns:" Administrative CostsThe state Office of Financial Management estimated that enacting I-1240 would cost the state $3.1 million for administrative costs, including the creation of the new state commission that would oversee up to 40 charter schools. The OFM declined to predict how much the creation of charter schools would cost the state and existing school districts overall, however, calling such costs only "indeterminate, but non-zero."Charters And Levy MoneyUnder I-1240, each new charter school would qualify for the same federal and state funding as a traditional public school with the same level of enrollment. But whether a charter would qualify for levy dollars would depend on which type of charter it is: a charter founded by a private organization, or an existing public school converted to a charter by a vote of parents or teachers."Conversion" charters would be entitled to local levy dollars. Charters founded by private organizations would also be entitled to past levies if the local school district, rather than the state charter commission, had authorized the charter. Both types of charter would be entitled to funding from levies passed within the local school district boundaries.Money Follows Students To ChartersAnother complicating element is that public schools receive different amounts of funding per student based on poverty level, English language proficiency, special education services, and other factors. Charter schools under I-1240 would be required to admit any student, so each school's funding would be determined by the actual enrollment.Along with tax dollars, charter schools created under I-1240 would be entitled to other benefits that could have a fiscal impact on existing districts and schools.If an existing school were converted to a charter, the charter would be allowed to remain in the same building and the school district would lose use of the property. However, the district would remain liable for all major repairs and safety upgrades on the building. The district would also still be required to absorb any students who leave the school after it becomes a charter. That could create capacity strain on districts that are already struggling to find enough seats for students.Charter schools created by private organizations would have to come up with their own buildings, but the organizations would be entitled to lease unused school district property at or below market rates. The complex nature of K-12 school funding and the huge amount of variability in the charter schools that could be created under I-1240 mean that the only way to learn the cost of the initiative would be to pass it.

  Nov 02, 2012 at 11:14 am

• Seattle Schools Not Meeting Five-Year Academic Goals

  Seattle Public Schools has not met any of the 23 student performance goals the district set for itself four years ago in its five-year plan called "Excellence for All."

  Nov 02, 2012 at 12:00 am

• Grading The Charter School Claims

  This fall, voters in Washington will decide whether to legalize charter schools in the state for the first time. Washington voters have considered charters three times before. But the details of charter school funding, oversight and independence can be confusing. So we took a red pen to claims by supporters and opponents of Initiative 1240, and gave each claim a grade to see who gets to go to the head of the class – and who needs to go back and check their work.

  Oct 23, 2012 at 12:00 am

• Special Ed In Seattle Public Schools "Atrocious," "Heartbreaking," Say Parents

  Two-and-a-half years ago, KUOW brought you the story of Bridget Ambrose and her son Ryder. Ryder was in kindergarten at the time. He’s on the autism spectrum. At Ryder’s preschool, he’d gotten special education services like speech therapy and the social skills training that many kids with autism need to teach them how to interact with other kids.

  Oct 20, 2012 at 12:00 am

• Seattle School Board Says "No" To Charter Initiative

  The Seattle School Board said a unanimous "no" to charter schools last night. The board members approved a resolution against Initiative 1240, which would bring up to 40 charter schools to Washington over five years.

  Oct 18, 2012 at 12:00 am

• Seattle School Board Says "No" To Charter Initiative

  The Seattle School Board said a unanimous "no" to charter schools last night. The board members approved a resolution against Initiative 1240, which would bring up to 40 charter schools to Washington over five years.

  Oct 18, 2012 at 12:00 am

• 10 Donors Funded 91 Percent Of Charter Schools Campaign

  The campaign to bring charter schools to Washington state has now raised more cash than any other measure on the ballot. Donors have contributed more than $8.9 million to the Yes on 1240 campaign. Of that, 91 percent came from just ten people, according to the Public Disclosure Commission website.

  Oct 17, 2012 at 12:00 am
• 

  Seattle Schools Chief Opposes Charter Initiative

  Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Jose Banda says he’ll vote “no” on Initiative 1240, which would legalize charter schools in Washington state.I-1240 would allow up to 40 charter schools in Washington state over five years. Proponents of I-1240 say it would give parents and students more school choice.But Superintendent Banda says he doesn’t see enough parents and community members supporting the initiative. Instead, campaign finance reports show that I-1240 is backed mainly by wealthy donors like Bill Gates, Paul Allen and the parents of Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos. Much of the campaign is also funded by out-of-state donors.Banda says that’s not who should bring charters to Washington. "I would hope that if a charter initiative is really what this community and what this state wants, it would be funded more grassroots or you would at least have more community and parent groups in support of it. I don’t see that so far," he says.Banda came to Seattle Schools this year from a district in Anaheim, Calif., where charters are allowed. "I think once they come in, if there’s not a clear accountability and a way to make sure that they meet the needs and the goals that they’ve set out, that there be a clear way that the charter could be revoked," he says. "And I know it’s easier said than done, having seen charters operate in California."The Seattle School Board is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a resolution opposing the charter initiative.Washington is one of nine states that don’t allow charter schools.

  Oct 16, 2012 at 9:54 am