According to the state’s legislative watchdog agency, more funding is needed for the charter school board. The agency also stated that the Legislature must change the funding mechanism. Currently, 3 percent of state funds going to charter schools are redirected to Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board. This is the board responsible for appraising new charter schools and supervising existing ones. There are three charter schools currently operating in Mississippi, and another one is expected to open in 2018. The Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Reform (PEER), which represents three charter schools in the state, believes that this amount is not sufficient to support their operations. Instead, the Legislature should give the board a separate amount like any other agency. Alternately the Legislature could create a line in the Institution of Higher Learning’s Appropriations Bill specifically for the board. This is according to the annual analysis of funding for charter schools and boards by the committee. The IHL’s appropriations currently fund the board’s funding. With additional state funding, the board was able operate for the past two years. To cover administrative expenses, the Legislature provided $440,000 to the board. $190,000. This amount was made up of the 3 percent fee received from charter schools. The report states that supplemental funding for legislative purposes will be needed until charter school enrollment is high enough to pay the 3 percent fee, plus any gifts, grants, or donations, the board might receive, to fully fund its operations. Philip Gunn, House Speaker, indicated that he supports increasing the resources of the board. “Charter schools offer a high-quality educational opportunity to some students who don’t otherwise have it. Gunn stated that the authorizing board should have the tools necessary to ensure that these students are provided with the opportunity. The Governor was not immediately available for comment on the suggestions made by the committee. Phil Bryant did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday afternoon. The board is responsible for soliciting and reviewing charter school applications, supervising and evaluating existing charters schools, and creating policies and practices that are consistent with nationally recognized standards and principles for charter authorizing. Mississippi’s charter schools operate by non-profit organizations, which appoint a school board. These charter schools receive public funding, and have more autonomy than traditional public schools in terms of curriculum, instruction, and scheduling. When a charter application is approved, up to 25% of public charter school teachers are exempted from certification. Jackson currently has three charter schools: Midtown Public, Reimagine Prep, and Joel E. Smilow Prep. The board has not approved any new schools for the immediate future, except for the delayed opening of a school in Midtown Public. Collegiate Academics withdrew their application and stated that it will wait for the outcome of the Southern Poverty Law Center lawsuit challenging the funding of charter schools. Reimagine Prep was awarded $1.48 million in total funding between 2015 and 2016. This includes local property taxes, federal grants, gifts, and other contributions. Midtown Public Charter School was awarded $1.46 million. By law, the PEER committee must conduct an annual review to determine whether charter schools are receiving sufficient funding and if the state formula is effective in funding them. It also has the responsibility of making recommendations to state policy and legislation that would improve charter schools in the state. However, this report did not include such changes because charter schools were only established in 2015. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to the Spring Member Drive today. Our reporters give a human face to policy’s impact on everyday Mississippians by listening more closely and understanding their communities. To ensure that our work is aligned with the priorities and needs of Mississippians, we are listening to you. Click the button below to let us know what you think. Republish this Story