Bill would let Community Choice Charter Commission seek public and federal funds; opponents warn of fiscal and equity risks

Senator Vinton opened a hearing on Senate Bill 177, which would allow the Community Choice Charter School Commission to seek and receive public funds, including federal charter-startup grants, to support the formation and early operations of community choice charter schools.

"The authorization of the commission to seek and receive public funds will open our state to accessing federal grant money that is specifically allocated for new community choice charter schools," Senator Vinton said, describing the bill’s limited changes to the law as focused on fundraising authority.

Trish Scheiber, chair of the Community Choice Schools Commission, told the committee the commission currently has no state appropriation and funds operations through authorizing fees and private fundraising; she said allowing the commission to accept…