So one apparent winner in the finally settled state budget are charter schools. Apparently the $8 million in charter school funding cut from the governor’s proposed budget was restored which will allow schools like Bridge Academy, Achievement First Bridgeport, New Beginnings and Park City Prep _ all in Bridgeport _ to keep the seats they have or add seats. Achievement First Bridgeport this year expands to 227 students and Park City Prep to 238 students. Bridge Academy will continue with an enrollment of 260 and New Beginnings, 360. Statewide this year, there are 5,170 seats total in 18 charter schools, an increase of 430 slots.
Now in their 12th year, charter schools are public schools, funded directly by the state, and governed independent of local school board control. The idea is to be creative and allow decisions to be made without going through red tape. Some do a better job than others of closing the so-called achievement gap but most tend to be popular with parents.
