Charter School Funding Decision Reversed

(Updated November 19, 2005)

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"Charter School Funding Decision Reversed"
Post, November 19, 2005

A Prince George's Circuit Court judge has dealt a setback to Maryland charter school advocates, reversing a state decision on funding for the schools.

The Nov. 10 ruling by Judge Michele D. Hotten was a victory for the county school system in its battle over funding for the proposed Lincoln Public Charter School. Based in the Marlow Heights neighborhood near Southeast Washington, Lincoln would be the county's first charter school.

Hotten wrote that the Maryland State Board of Education erred in May opinions that were meant to issue statewide guidance for charter school funding. The state board, Hotten ruled, "acted in an arbitrary and capricious fashion" in issuing guidelines that grant charter schools more money per pupil than many local school officials believe is warranted.

Earlier news about Lincoln Public Charter School:

County school system appeals decision on charter school funding
Gazette, June 1, 2005 (by Guy Leonard, Staff Writer)

"State board clears way for charter school to open"
Gazette, May 17, 2005 by Guy Leonard, Staff Writer)

"Charter school officials ask for more funding"
Gazette, April 27, 2005 (by Guy Leonard, Staff Writer)

"Mixed Rulings on Charter School Bids; Board Turns Down 2 Proposals, Gives Conditional Approval to Arlington Group"
Post, January 27, 2005 (by Nancy Trejos, Washington Post Staff Writer)

Note: The Lincoln Public Charter School location is within sight of Overlook Elementary School, one of the worst-performing schools on the state. (Post, March 24, 2005; civilrights.org, January 30, 2002; Post, January 29, 1998).

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