Charter school backers rally for more money

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By William Hershey, Staff Writer 6:55 PM Wednesday, May 13, 2009

COLUMBUS — Gov. Ted Strickland might not have heard them but backers of charter schools made one thing clear on Wednesday, May 13:

“We love our school.”

That was the battle cry outside the Statehouse at a rally called to urge more state support for the schools and the more than 80,000 students who attend them.

The shouts were directed at the governor’s corner office because Strickland’s proposed budget reduced spending for charters. The governor was out during the rally, however, said Amanda Wurst, his spokeswoman.

Organizers estimated the crowd at 4,000, including 200 from Dayton’s ISUS Trade and Tech Prep High School, a dropout recovery school.

“We need more money and we need the money to be equal to our fellow high schools,” said Jerad Redic, 21, who’s studying construction.

“I’m here because we need to keep charter schools open,” said Alandria Worthy, 17, who’s studying health and wants to become a pediatrician.

Michelle Clayton, 40, came from Middletown with her three children – Talmon, 10, Victoria, 9 and Nicole, 8 – all students of the online Ohio Virtual Academy. Clayton said the school combines home schooling with a curriculum that suits each student’s needs.

“This is the best of both worlds,” she said.

Charter schools fared a little better in the House-passed version of the budget than in Strickland’s plan but overall funding is about 15 percent less than currently, said Rep. Stephen Dyer, D-Green, a key author of the House plan. Some charters do better under the House plan than under current funding, he said. Charters are expected to fare better in the Senate which now is considering the budget.

Rep. Seth Morgan, R-Huber Heights, who took Strickland to court to get information on the governor’s school plan, told the crowd that if charter schools aren’t treated fairly “I think he (Strickland) might find himself in the Supreme Court again.”

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