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Heated debate as committee advances amendment to require limited sharing of local property-tax referenda with charter schools
Summary
Senate Bill 518, which would require local property-tax referenda funds to follow students who choose charter schools in certain circumstances, advanced from committee after an amendment narrowing the policy. The bill prompted extensive testimony from parents, teachers, school leaders and charter operators.
The Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee advanced Senate Bill 518, with Amendment 16, after a daylong hearing that drew more than 50 public witnesses and sharply divided lawmakers and local stakeholders. The amendment narrows the measure’s reach: it removes public‑to‑public school transfers, applies only where a school corporation has 100 or more students with legal settlement who choose to attend a brick-and-mortar charter school, and limits any transfer of capital or debt-related local revenue to charter schools geographically located within the school corporation.
Author Senator Rogers said the amendment and bill aim to let local tax dollars follow students who choose charter schools in areas with significant charter enrollment. “I think it's time that a parent who chooses to send their child to a public charter school has their tax dollars following their child and educating their child,” she told the committee.
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