Washoe school board opposes charter school bill

Thursday, March 11, 1999 | 12:23 p.m.

Board members voted 6-1 Tuesday to oppose the bill sponsored by Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks. The majority of trustees said the bill removes accountability requirements included in a charter school measure approved by lawmakers two years ago.

Among other things, the new bill removes a requirement that charter schools target at-risk students.

"We need to take the label off that says charter schools are only for at-risk kids," Washington said. "It placed a stigma on the students that wasn't true. All kinds of kids go to charter schools."

Washington's proposal also establishes a charter school commission of five members appointed by the governor. Washoe County school board members expressed concern that an appointed commission would not be as accountable to the public as one that was elected.

Washington said changes sought in his bill are meant to make the law more flexible.

"We only have one charter school in the state after two years," Washington said. "Applicants had to jump through too many hoops. It was just too difficult to create new charter schools under the present law."

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