Sayville board hears resolution on charter‑school funding; vote deferred for community input

SAYVILLE — The Sayville Union Free School District Board of Education discussed whether to sign onto a resolution from the group Long Island Against Charter Schools (LIAC) that would press for changes in how charter schools are approved and funded.

Board Member 6 introduced the resolution and framed its purpose as limited to funding mechanics and local oversight rather than a wholesale stance for or against charter schools. “There’s money being moved from our budget to charter schools, and we have no control over that,” Board Member 6 said, arguing that when a student enrolls in a charter school “the cost per student goes directly to the charter school, and it gets taken off the top of the local school budget.”

Several board members voiced support for the idea of seeking greater local input, while others raised concerns about the resolution’s scope. Board Member 8 said, “On its face, it’s an absolute no for me,” but asked for clarification about the phrase “voters of impacted communities,” noting that students and tax revenue can cross municipal lines and asking how the district’s population would be defined for any proposed local‑approval requirement.

Board Member 6 said LIAC produced the draft language and that the board would seek clarification from that group on questions such as territorial scope. Board Member 9 reported having done some personal research and said they “would definitely sign it.” Board Member 7 added a caution that some charter operators can be for‑profit.

Because the resolution was not on the evening’s formal agenda, Board Member 6 proposed — and the board agreed — to postpone a vote until the next meeting to allow community input and to get clarifying language from LIAC.

What’s next: Board Member 6 said staff will follow up with LIAC and return the item to the next regular meeting with additional information and clarifications requested by board members.