State House Debates Lifting Charter Schools Cap

LANSING (WWJ) - The Michigan House is debating a package of bills that propose drastic changes to the state's education system, including lifting the cap on charter schools.

Cathy Walsh, a teacher and parent and members of a coalition that's fighting the legislation, has a question for Gov. Rick Snyder.

"What are you thinking? I know he's making some tough decisions. I understand. I wouldn't wanna be in his position by any stretch of the word," Walsh told WWJ Newsradio 950.

"But I think part of the problem is there's not a lot of people who have really the hard, cold facts about what this is," she said..

The coalition "Hope is Not a Plan" says lifting the charter school cap would drain money from public schools and create a "for profit" school system.

"Ultimately, our state cannot afford to continue to add more and more schools when when can't afford the ones we have now," said Walsh. "So, something is going to break and my concern is that 'something' is going to be high-performing traditional public schools."

The coalition wants Governor Snyder to visit public school classrooms and teachers before he considers signing the legislation

Supporters maintain that more charter schools would give parents more educational options.

The bills have passed the Senate and are now in the House Education committee.