Lowell candidates express skepticism about further charter expansion, cite equity concerns

At a Lowell City candidate forum, multiple school committee candidates said they oppose further expansion of charter schools in the city, arguing charters shift funding away from district schools and can deepen inequities.

Panelists said charter schools may offer programs that are ‘‘incredible’’ but that the district lacks the resources to broadly replicate those services within public schools. Candidates framed the issue as one of equity: they said charters can separate student populations and reduce funding available for neighborhood schools.

Speakers recommended bringing successful programs from charter schools into the district so that all students benefit, while cautioning the city likely does not need additional charter seats. Candidates opposed expansion not because they reject the educational models, they said, but because of fiscal and equity trade-offs.

The exchange occurred during a two-minute response series on whether the candidates support charter-school expansion; responses included concerns that charters draw per-pupil funding away from public schools and create unequal opportunities.

The forum did not feature any formal vote on policy. Candidates said if elected they would work to strengthen public-school programs and consider ways to adopt successful charter practices without increasing charter enrollment.