Countryside Academy Board Passes Resolution Opposing Funding Cut

education74-15
education74-15

Countryside Academy’s board of directors is on the record opposed to the line-item veto in the budget by Governor Whitmer of a funding increase for charter schools. The veto stripped the $240 per-pupil increase that had been expected according to Countryside administrator Sarah Brookshire.

“We have the same expectations as traditional public schools, some believe that’s not true, and if we have the same expectations to educate all children the same, I would  expect that the budget would indicate that for per-pupil funding as well,” Brookshire tells WSJM News.

She says the funding cut is significant, given the charter school does not get local tax dollars.

“It’s equivalent to about $180,000 for Countryside Academy,” says Brookshire.

She adds Countryside Academy is financially sound and if the cut isn’t restored in supplemental budget bills, they will be okay for this school year as their insurance costs weren’t as high as had been expected. Brookshire says parents need not worry about any cuts in services and programs, but the board still wanted to adopt a “Fairness First” resolution to call for the restoration of the state aid. Charter schools received their first state aid payment of the year today.