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Council Member Fahey introduced the following resolution:

Resolution Number 2.11.10 (MC) (As Amended 1/21/09)

RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL URGING THE STATE

LEGISLATURE TO ENACT CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING RELIEF AND TOIMPOSE A SPECIFIC LIMIT ON THE ENROLLMENT OF STUDENTS INCHARTER SCHOOLS FOR THE CITY OF ALBANY SCHOOL DISTRICT

WHEREAS , the number of charter schools approved in the State of New York isnearing the authorized limit of 200, and there is interest in increasing the number of charters substantially over this amount; and

WHEREAS , the New York State Board of Regents and the SUNY Board of Trustees have failed to consider the Albany City School Districts unique situation, inthat, the ratio of the number of charter schools to the number of public schools in Albany

far exceeds the ratio of charter schools to public schools in any other school district in New York to a degree that is unfair and inequitable; and

WHEREAS , 82% of Albany citizens, a majority from every neighborhood inAlbany, voted in a non-binding referendum in May, 2005 against paying for charter schools out of the public school budget; and

WHEREAS , over-saturation of charter schools in Albany has had a devastatingimpact on the City School district of Albany, its students and its taxpayers; and

WHEREAS , all statistics referenced herein are directly from City of AlbanySchool District published information; and

WHEREAS , the cost of charter schools for the 2010-2011 school year is projected to be over $30 million, a figure that does not include the additional, requiredcosts of providing nursing services, social workers and transportation for 12 additionallocations; and

WHEREAS , the district received $4 million in transition aid this year to offsetthe financial impact of charters, an amount that is wholly inadequate given the sheer number of charter schools and the fact that enrollment is unpredictable and notsustainable; and

WHEREAS , the charter schools in Albany had an approved capacity of 3300 for the 2009-10 school year, but only enroll about 2000 Albany students, amounting to a1300 student shortfall and providing evidence that the district is over-saturated with

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charter schools; and

WHEREAS , the excess approved capacity in charter schools has made charter school enrollments unsustainable and unpredictable and the district is obligated to enrollall students not attending charter schools, the oversaturation of charter schools in Albany

has undermined the districts ability to plan efficiently and effectively for studentsenrolled in district schools and substantially increases the costs of this duplicative systemto local taxpayers; and

WHEREAS , the cost of charter schools amounts to an un-funded mandate by New York State and an unfair burden on taxpayers as opposed to other states that fundcharter schools through the state and not by local property taxes; and

WHEREAS , the charter schools are failing to meet their statutory responsibilityto increase learning opportunities for all students, with special emphasis on expanded learning opportunities for students who are at-risk of academic failure, as evidenced by

the fact that only 3% of the students enrolled in charter schools are students withdisabilities as compared to 16% of the students in the public schools; and

WHEREAS , charter schools failure to retain at-risk students should be takeninto consideration when determining enrollment limits.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Albany CommonCouncil does hereby urge our New York State legislators to support charter schoolfunding relief for the City School District of Albany.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council urges

legislators to impose a specific limit on the enrollment of students in Albanys charter schools to ensure that charter school approvals in Albany are at a predictable andsustainable level.