An Ohio judge ruled this week that the Buckeye State's 6-year-old charter school law does not violate the state Constitution, gutting major portions of a lawsuit filed by a coalition led by the Ohio Federation of Teachers. The suit had argued that charter schools are unconstitutional because a) the legislature had usurped the authority of local school boards in allowing charter schools to be created, b) the method of funding charter schools diverts local tax revenues, c) the schools violate the guarantee of a "thorough and efficient" system of public schools since they operate according to different (and lower) standards, and d) private entities are allowed to run schools. The judge dismissed all four counts. Though several smaller issues in the lawsuit were not addressed by the ruling, they do not directly threaten the existence of Ohio's charter school system, which currently serves about 34,000 students in 132 schools. Of course the OFT is threatening to appeal this week's ruling.
"Court ruling gives boost to charter schools," by Scott Stephens, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 22, 2003
"Charter schools ruled constitutional," by James Drew, Toledo Blade, April 22, 2003
Next week is National Charter Schools Week. For a list of special activities across the country, visit http://www.charterfriends.org/csweek/state.htm