NEW: McKee Signs Legislation to Place Moratorium on Charter Schools
GoLocalProv News Team
NEW: McKee Signs Legislation to Place Moratorium on Charter Schools
Dan McKee, who has been a leader in the public-school charter movement for nearly two decades, reversed course on Thursday and signed legislation placing a three-year moratorium on new schools.
“This act places a temporary moratorium on the approval and expansion of charter schools through the 2028-2029 school year, limits state funding for new or expanded charter schools through fiscal year 2029, and reduces the statutory cap on charter schools from 35 to 28,” states McKee in his transmittal message.
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“In deciding to sign this legislation, I had to consider the reality that our school communities are facing significant challenges. Declining student enrollment has resulted in over 10,000 fewer students in the public education system since 2021, creating financial pressures for municipalities and school districts across our state. These difficult conditions require careful consideration, especially as the state evaluates proposals for changing the funding formula. A temporary moratorium provides time to make those assessments while focusing on strengthening the schools already serving Rhode Island students, including an evaluation of existing charter schools,” wrote McKee.
The League of Charter Schools, RIPEC and multiple Chambers of Commerce urged McKee to veto the legislation that was pushed by the teacher’s unions in Rhode Island.
“The reality is vetoing this bill, as some have requested, is not a comprehensive solution to solving the challenges facing the public education system in Rhode Island. It will not boost achievement for the 88 percent of students enrolled in our district schools; it will not improve student outcomes at existing charters; and it will not help fill the many approved vacant charter seats that currently exist in Rhode Island,” added McKee.
The governor’s flip-flop from national leader on charter schools caught the attention of the Washington Post, which editorialized about McKee’s reversal and cited that it was political.