N.H. charter schools seek more money from state

CONCORD, N.H. --Officials at three of the state's charter schools say they may have to close if the Legislature does not find an equitable solution to state funding this year.

Students, parents and teachers at the Franklin Career Charter Academy, Seacoast Charter School and Cocheco Art and Technology Academy want state lawmakers to pass a bill that would increase state aid to their schools to $4,000 per pupil annually.

The bill also is supported by the New Hampshire Equestrian Academy Charter School and Strong Traditions. A final vote is scheduled for next week.

About 400 to 500 students attend charter schools in the state.

At a news conference earlier this week, Diedre Romeo, of Franklin, said sending her daughter to the Franklin Career Academy was not an easy choice, but she wasn't thriving in public school. Romeo said her daughter walks to the charter school because there are no buses; parents clean the school and bring in hot lunches from another school.

"My daughter didn't pass ninth grade. She was at risk," but the Career Academy turned her performance around, Romeo said. "We are totally committed."

But even if the bill passes, some of the earliest charter schools -- which had to fight for funding and whose federal start-up grants have been exhausted -- would struggle, said academy board Chairman William Grimm said. Charter schools need at least $6,000 per pupil and should get $7,000 to $8,000, he argued.

"The data shows these schools are doing a terrifically good job," he said.

"Everybody acknowledges (they've) been a resounding success," said Charlie Arlinghaus, of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy. "The only question is whether it will continue."

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Information from: Citizen, http://www.fosters.com/citizen