One of the arguments against charter schools is that they supposedly rob traditional schools. Charters take students, and the money that follows them via the state. So, if you follow this reasoning, traditional schools are missing out on every dollar a charter takes.
(Few of those making this argument would remind you that the traditional schools don't have the expense of teaching every child it loses to charters, but that's another editorial.)
We've decided over the years that we're not going to convert those who have a vested interest in keeping our school system exactly as it is, succeed or fail. Somebody once said that it's hard to convince anybody of reality if a mirage pays them so well. But for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, we'll make the case again:
Arkansas Business reported last week that a charter school outfit out of Oregon has bought the LISA Academy West Middle School property on Corporate Hill Drive in Little Rock. It was an "uh-oh" moment until we read deeper into Sarah Campbell-Miller's story, and noted how the folks at LISA and this Charter School Capital (of Portland) were talking so sweet. Or as mama called it, acting pretty.
"We are delighted to assure LISA a long-term home in which to provide students with a rigorous college preparatory program," said the president and CEO of Charter School Capital. "We believe strongly in the mission of LISA, and as the facility owner we want to do all we can to support the school in preparing its students for future academic challenges and adventures."
Good. The superintendent of LISA said something nice in return. Looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
One detail in the story caught our eye: The Oregon outfit bought the property for $3.4 million.
LISA teaches 356 students on that campus.
If our math is correct, the folks at Charter School Capital just spent capital for a charter school at a rate of $9,550 per kid.
Now do the math on the new high school being built in the southwest part of the city. If we take the low-end number of $90 million (some say the price could reach $100 million) and the high-end number of students who might attend, which could be 2,250 students (it could be fewer), we come to . . . .
Forty grand.
Per student.
To build this brand-new school.
Apples and oranges? Why? Because the new school in southwest Little Rock will be around for years? The charter school outfit from Oregon has its lease for the LISA school till 2027--at least.
How can any entity, private or public, expect to compete when its capital costs are many times its competitors to do the same job? In this case, that job is to educate students. No wonder charter schools are more efficient. Only a group that thinks it has a monopoly would attempt to put itself at such a competitive disadvantage. Chalk this up as another "pro" argument for charter schools.
Editorial on 09/29/2018