I hope that that principal is looking hard at the numbers. The $5200 isn't going to go that far once all of the items that we need to spend out dollars on are taken care of. I was shocked that with that small a per-pupil, schools were on the hook for salaries and benifits. This really doesn't leave much wiggle room for things like books and such. This hits newly created non-charters the hardest since we (I am starting one that opens in Sept.) don't already have "left overs" from years past such as books, computers and furniture.

One question I had that I would love to see a story on is the vast descrepency between what the charters get and what all other non-charters get. It's not in any way shape or form that I begrudge the charters, it's just that they get around 4 grand more and near as I can tell the biggest difference is that non-charters don't get a building and that they aren't able to (I believe) tap into the extra dollars set aside for abobe or below students in the high schools. I can tell you that this meager amount is hard to deal with, again, given that non charters have to pay for everything except the space their in (including custodial and, well, everything else except special ed and a principal position). Smaller schools (again, like the newly created Transformation as well as existing smaller schools) are espeically hard hit. It's these types of places that can actually make a difference in the school violence area and yet aren't going to be funded deeply enough to really do the job. If the system would pay for the benifits (which is what I thought was going ot happen with the low per-pupil that was decided on) we would be able to do so much more.

Not that I am complaining too much. I am excited to start a school. Just wondering.

www.baltimorecivitas.org.

Did you know? We have BCPSS schools copying off a high price Miltary School in Virginia. They are assigned to classes for 360 or more minutes in one class (English,Reading, ect)for 30 days. They will earn one credit for each course they complete in the 30 days. Do you understand it represents one year of work in 30 days!These are students who have failed two or more times. These are for troubled students with over-aged, poor attendance, poor study skills, lack of motivation, chronic lateness, as well as those with learning disabilities or other social,economical or behavioral/emotional problems. It it considered an accelerated credit recovery program. I feel we are setting this group up for failure and the teachers too. They can earn up to 8 credits a year. I think it would be great for advanced students at the city schools(not zoned or AOP schools).They can return to another school when they get enough credits to transfer or stay and graduate and get HS diploma.They must pass HSA too.
It has been tougher and rougher than most can imagine-Fights, threats, intimidation,code of conduct is not enforced.They come in around 10:00 and leave around 12. Study or homework is foreign.The foul language is the worst.They need to re- evaluate and make some changes so as possible.Please visit and see for yourself.