Are charter schools public schools or small businesses with government contracts? They claim to be public schools, even though they have private, unelected boards and private management. Yet many charter schools applied for and received federal funds from the CARES Act, at the urging of their lobbyists, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
They took money intended to save small businesses. Public schools are not allowed to apply.
Writing at Valerie Strauss’s “The Answer Sheet,” Carol Burris and Marla Kilfoyle of the Network for Public Education ask “why do charter schools get this money?”
Please open the article to see the many links to sources.
Valerie Strauss writes:
When Congress passed a huge economic assistance aid package in March, known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, it included $13.5 billion in funding for K-12 grants to states. Most of the money was supposed to be distributed to school districts and charter schools through a formula based on their share of Title 1 funds, which are intended to help students from low-income families.
But after the act passed, some charter schools — which are publicly funded but privately managed — decided to also apply for loans from a different part of the new law, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was intended to help small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations.
That sparked a debate in the education world, especially after some charter schools decided it would be double-dipping if they did apply for loans, and declined to do so. The conversation was animated by the issue of whether charters are really small businesses or public operations.
Burris and Kilfoyle write:
Pine Springs Preparatory Academy in Holly Springs, N.C., looks to be doing just fine. It ended 2017, its first year of operation, with a healthy fund balance of $1.3 million — which seems remarkable for a school with expenditures that year of only $2.75 million, school documents show.
On March 23, 2020, as North Carolina’s schools prepared to move to remote learning during the coronavirus pandemic, Pine Springs Prep was ready to go. Triangle Education Organization is the nonprofit that runs the school. Its board minutes show that every student would get a Chromebook, there was $2.17 million in the bank, and that local tax dollars would keep coming in.
Connectivity would not be a problem for a charter school located in one of the wealthiest towns in North Carolina. “It’s like a private school for wealthy kids,” founding board member Ryan Monteleone said in an interview.
In its charter application, the school claimed that “students who enroll in our school will match the demographics of the local school system,” which, according to the application, was 24.4 percent black and 15.4 percent Hispanic. The school also expected that “33.7 percent of the students would be eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, and 7.5 percent classified as LEP [limited English proficiency].” Free or reduced-price lunch is a proxy for poverty.
But the reality turned out to be quite different. Black students comprise less than 5 percent of the enrolled students, and Hispanic students comprise about 7 percent. Pine Springs Prep does not participate in the federal free and reduced-price lunch program since so few are eligible to receive it. According to Monteleone: “When I asked why we did not provide busing, I was told that it would bring in kids who would bring test scores down and whose parents would not donate to the school.”
And yet despite all of the wealth and privilege, in April, the charter school’s board called a special meeting to take $550,600 of Cares Act money via a Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan. Those loans were intended by Congress to shore up small, struggling businesses that would otherwise lay off their employees as revenue dried up. PPP loans are more like grants because if you follow the rules, you do not have to pay the money back, as the minutes of the meeting noted.
At Pine Spring’s Prep, there was not a penny in revenue lost other than the inability to run a modest fundraiser. But the minutes reflected no hesitation as the board took more than a half-million dollars, even as businesses all over North Carolina collapsed.
Board Treasurer Greg Sinders, shepherded the PPP loan for the Board. Sinders also appears in the April minutes and roll call of the Bonnie Cone Classical Academy. At that meeting, the board approved a for-profit Arizona education management organization, Charter One, to apply for and manage their PPP loan. According to his Facebook page, Sinders is a business developer for Charter One.
These two charter schools are far from the only schools applying for PPP funding.
The Boston Globe reported that Achievement First Rhode Island received $2.5 million dollars through the program. In 2017, it received about $16 million in taxpayer funds — enough to send approximately $1.7 million to its management company in Connecticut and another $41,000 to advertise and promote the school.
Blackstone Valley Prep, also in Rhode Island, received $4 million in PPP funds and small Nowell Leadership Academy took over $400,000.
The Globe also mentioned those charter schools in Rhode Island that declined funding, acknowledging the ethical shortcomings of taking funds from businesses in dire straits as the school’s income stream remains intact.
But those schools that take the high ground are making that decision on their own. Leadership in the charter school world is pushing schools to apply for the funds.
Mike McGee, chief executive of Chiefs for Change, a nonprofit started by former Florida governor Jeb Bush, defended the use of PPP funds for Rhode Island charter schools, even though those schools compete with and pull funding from the public school districts that members of the group lead.
In her March 23 blog, Nina Rees, executive director of the National Association of Public Charter Schools, wrote about the lobbying efforts of the NAPCS to ensure that charter schools were included in the PPP program.
Greg Richmond, founder of the National Association of Charter Schools Authorizers, justified charters taking the SBA funds in the pro-charter news outlet the 74. In an April 14 piece, he wrote that critics would attack charter schools for taking PPP money for a number of reasons, and said:
“They will say charter schools did not immediately lose all funding this spring, like some businesses, while ignoring the deep cuts that are coming later this year. They will say school districts were not eligible for the program, putting them at a supposed financial disadvantage versus charters, while ignoring the fact that districts have access to local property tax levies and low-interest loans that many charter schools cannot access.”
Richmond now works for a nonprofit called Bluum Inc., which received a nearly $9 million grant from the federal Charter Schools Program to start more charters in Idaho.
Although the full list of PPP recipients has not been published, stories have been popping up around the country as reporters comb board minutes for other charter schools that have been taking PPP money.
Liza Bercovici, executive director of the dance-themed Gabriella Charter Schools in Los Angeles, said in a written statement to LAist.com that the schools turned to the PPP program as a solution to their “major cash flow issues and revenue shortfalls starting this year.” Gabriella received a $1.3 million PPP loan.
Ivy Academia, whose founders were convicted of embezzling over $200,000 in 2013, received nearly $1 million as well.
Ross Valley Charter School, in affluent Marin County, Calif., views itself as a progressive alternative to the local public schools, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. It received more than $270,000 which, according to board minutes, would help their fund balance for three years.
Heritage Community Charter in Idaho, which says on its website that it is a “four star charter school,” received a grant — although it did not include the amount in the board minutes. In 2013, the State Charter Board met with the school’s board to review 17 pages of problems, including violations of the state’s laws. In 2018, the charter was one of 13 charter schools in the state under sanctions.
Encore Academy in New Orleans was placed on corrective actions by the state last August for special education violations. It now has to follow an intensive correction action plan. Yet the school received $913,000 from PPP.
New Orleans College Prep that had its own difficulties with finances, instability, and staff turnover before the pandemic, received $1.7 million in PPP funding for its two campuses.
When The Washington Post asked D.C. charter schools if they had applied for and received a grant, most would not respond.
There is justifiable unease about taking from a fund intended to keep the paychecks of parents coming when your own payroll is funded with no interruption in income. In addition, charter schools received funding through the Education Stabilization Fund of the Cares Act in the same manner as public schools, reinforcing the criticism that charters claim to be public schools but seek advantage as private entities when it is convenient.
Taxpayers in Marin County accused the local charter school of using the PPP loans to take a “double dip.” According to the Marin Independent Journal, Ross Valley resident Sara Tewksbury was one of 60 commenters posting on a community website about Ross Valley Charter taking PPP funds.
“RVC has repeatedly insisted that they are a public school and that they have stable finances, but they consistently act like a business,” Tewksbury said.
Recognizing the ethical dilemma posed when one claims to be a public school yet takes money intended for businesses or nonprofits with diminishing income streams, the Learning Community charter school in Falls Rhode Island turned down its $1.3 million PPP loan.
According to the Boston Globe, it was a difficult discussion made after a 90-minute debate.
Learning Community Board Chairman Marc Greenfield commented on the Board’s rationale for not taking the money by saying: “We have come to believe that the PPP loans are intended for a more distinct or traditional nonprofit, and while we are technically a nonprofit, our primary identity, mission, and value is as a public school.”
We don’t believe the Payroll Protection Plan was passed to allow charter schools to save money because down-the-line funding, which is still flowing, might be cut. Traditional public school districts received some money from the Cares Act, but nowhere near what superintendents say they need.
Recognizing the ethical dilemma posed when one claims to be a public school yet takes money intended for businesses or nonprofits with diminishing income streams, the Learning Community charter school in Falls Rhode Island turned down its $1.3 million PPP loan.
According to the Boston Globe, it was a difficult discussion made after a 90-minute debate. Board Chairman Marc Greenfield commented on the board’s rationale by saying, “We have come to believe that the PPP loans are intended for a more distinct or traditional nonprofit, and while we are technically a nonprofit, our primary identity, mission, and value is as a public school.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
OK, I get the point of the article, but at the same time many charter schools do not receive similar funding to public schools located in the same city’s. In fact, many of the funding “inequities” are quite substantial totaling millions in fewer revenues to charters each year. At the same time, charters are REQUIRED to provide all the same services as their traditional public school peers. Things like Transportation, which are quite expensive, are only reimbursed to the tune of 15% – 20%, while services like private SPED outplacement’s which can run upwards of $40,000 per year, per student as well as homeless transportation which means door-to-door cab service for children who qualify aren’t reimbursed at all. Charters face quite a few “unfunded mandates” so, it’s a bit of cherry picking to say Charters shouldn’t take PPP funds when they are perfectly, legally allowed to do so because the virus may not impact them “as much” as traditional small businesses. Additionally, many charters will not be able to hold in-person summer schools and have NO IDEA what type of enrollment they will have when schools re-open in the Fall. These PPP funds can help get them through a tough period of time since charters unlike traditional public schools, that can count on a stable tax base (property taxes), rely solely on “butts in seats” for funding. While I believe the article brings up some good questions, I just wanted to present the other side of the argument here.
You conveniently ignore the massive federal subsidies provided to charter schools, and those from billionaires, and the federal opportunity for loans to charter schools since the days of NCLB. The charter industry is gifted at complaining but they are well-heeled. They do not pay the taxes that support public schools but feel entitled to “co-locate” in a public school without paying rent or utilities or debt on the construction of the building. “Butts in the seat” funding comes at the expense of public schools. Charter schools want to be labeled “public” and non-profit while collecting funds as a small for-profit business.
Well stated, Laura. Charters are chameleons, public when it benefits them, private when it benefits them. Double dippers when it benefits them. Ergo, opportunists.
A couple of thoughts.. I’m with Fred here. Laura, no, ‘co-location’ isn’t free. Charters pay a ‘pro-rata share’ of all those M&O costs and ‘rent’ costs that are only slightly below commercial/market rate, so let’s not suggest they are getting space ‘for free.’ LAUSD actually makes millions off of ‘rent’ from charters and then crowds its own teachers like sardines so they can ‘double dip.’ The list of complaints against charters is naturally long enough to not need to make up stuff that is easily disproved. And Fred is right about the gaps – charters that are ‘starting up’ get federal grants, but NOT loans, federal or state at least in California. LAUSD just spend $100M from the bond monies to buy Chromebooks. Great on them! Great use of bond monies flexibly in an emergency that nonetheless voters did not approve, but whatever, it’s a good call for kids; but charters can’t bond or levy nor qualify for state backed loans when cash deferrals hit (like they will for June and July); districts can borrow from the state in the form of TRANS loans, charters cannot.
And a broader point, the PPP was not JUST for small businesses, but also non profits of all kinds. Planned Parenthood received over $80M; Girl Scouts multiple millions as well. Private catholic schools. That’s a whole other can of worms. I just don’t like selective objections because we’re not philosophically aligned. And i’m sure as hell glad PP got $80M!
In many cases charter schools wish to have public money but to NOT be held to following state statutes
On the matter of charter school facilities funding. Your view is from LAUSD and it is about rent, not the full cost of construction.
Walton Family Foundation Launches Charter School Loan Funds
In 2018, The Walton Family Foundation announced the creation of two loan funds totaling $300 million in support of charter schools.
Supported through the foundation’s Building Equity Foundation which was launched in 2016 to help charter schools access the capital needed to build, expand, or renovate facilities, the Charter Impact Fund and Facilities Investment Fund will provide quicker access to long- and short-term financing.
Established as a nonprofit organization, the Charter Impact Fund will be launched with $200 million in seed funding and provide long-term fixed-rate loans to high-performing charter schools anywhere in the country for up to 100 percent of project costs, providing schools with lower transaction costs and faster loan execution and enabling them to save millions over the loan term. Adapted from a revolving-loan fund model that has successfully supported clean water projects and affordable housing, CIF is the first pooled fund of its kind for charter schools.
Created in collaboration with Bank of America Merrill Lynch and managed by Civic Builders, the $100 million Facilities Investment Fund will offer charter schools five-year fixed-rate loans for up to 90 percent of project costs for new construction or the renovation of existing facilities. FIF loans are the only short-term loans currently available to charter schools that provide up to $20 million at a low fixed-interest rate.
“Big challenges require bold solutions,” said Walton Family Foundation board member Alice Walton. “This effort will allow resources that were spent on facilities to be directed back into the classrooms, back to the teachers, and back to where it should be — with the students.” https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/walton-family-foundation-launches-charter-school-loan-funds
Under Title V, NCLB paid for the cost of charter school construction or leasing along with salaries, materials, and other expenses for up to three years. Additional funds were earmarked to market the concept of charter schools and to establish bank-like entities, exclusively devoted to securing investments for charter schools.
You can see the more recent federal support of facilities for charter schools here. https://www2.ed.gov/programs/charterfacilities/index.html
Until charters follow the same rules, regulations and transparency as public schools they will be able to take advantage of public and private funding sources. Their set up was devised for this very purpose of profiteering off of taxpayers under the radar.
Chapter Schools are a business to get federal State and State fundings, with the best equipment, supplies and services.
Chapter Schools teachers and other staff members receive less in their salaries compared to public school teachers and must work longer hours; large classes sizes and without a union as well as minimal Health benefits.
In addition, if students do not measure up to the Chapter School requirements…Consequences may occur with students to remain within their program diminishes.
Public schools compared to Chapter Schools are not given the same benefits of supplies, equipment, or services needed with Special need students throughout our nation.
Board of Education came up with a national educational plan to implement Common Core Standards as well as Common Core Standardize Testing methods.
Which cost taxpayers billions of dollars. The worst part of all these testing results; these test do not benefit the teachers or the students outcomes. These test only recognize students strength or weakness. Is this worth billions of dollars of taxpayers money?
Originally, these test were supposed to see if a teacher was doing their job in the classroom and benefiting the students education throughout the year.
Most test offered to students do not appear to be the same lessons taught within the classroom.
Majority of students fail these test; especially students with special needs or speak another language, because students are not yet Familiar with the English language.
The above average students do well throughout their school years. Some receive support from family and others with their teachers.
Common Core Standardize Testing needs to be revised to meet the needs of all students throughout our nation.
Public schools are the Original foundation of our nation.
Public schools deserve equally Benefits and equal opportunities, if Chapter Schools are to remain.
Pure and simple: They are publicly-funded private schools. The legal and financial constructs and mechanics may differ but they are otherwise indistinguishable from private schools that obtain revenue from state voucher or “choice scholarship” programs.