Superintendent urges state action on charter funding and announces inclusive flag football pilot

Superintendent Neely used his Oct. 9 report to press trustees and partners to pursue state policy changes to address disparities in funding between charter and traditional public schools, and to announce a new inclusive flag‑football initiative.

Neely said charter schools are "far behind" in funding and that grants and donations are not a sustainable substitute for stable public funding. He told trustees the district would "continue aggressively this year in partnership with our schools and our school leaders and school boards to advocate not only for defense of the current formula, but we're gonna advocate for additional weights for our brick and mortar schools."

Neely also described a planned inclusive flag‑football program for students with disabilities, developed in partnership with Vice Chair Dexter Davis and local community groups and supported by NFL alumni. He said the program will be a statewide pilot beginning in October with local partners offering fields, coaching and mentorship; the district and partners will work to expand if the pilot succeeds.

Neely closed by noting the district's continued outreach to local and national partners to raise awareness of charter results and to press for policy changes that would supply more sustainable funding and resources for facilities and transportation.