BOSTON (WHDH) - One of the four ballot questions in Massachusetts, Question 2 addresses whether to raise the cap on the number of charter schools in the Commonwealth.
Question 2: Should Massachusetts authorize the approval of up to 12 new charter schools, or expand enrollment at existing charter schools by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education each year?
Yes: If the measure passes, the state will expand the number of charter schools that are created each year, or expand the number of students who attend existing charter schools. Charter schools operate independently from the state, unlike public schools, but also operate using public funds.
No: The current cap on the creation and enrollment for charter schools will not change.
At least $35 million has been raised by both sides; making it the most expensive ballot initiative in state history.
Those that support the expansion said it would create opportunity for more than 32,000 students on the charter school wait list. They also said it would move Massachusetts closer to an equal quality education for all.
Opponents said the schools are privately run but publicly financed, draining resources from district schools. They said $400 million every year is lost to charter schools, which in the future would lead to larger class sizes and cuts to science, math, music and physical education.
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