OUR OPINION: CDCs And Charter Schools

Both community development corporations and charter schools share the same responsibilities to their shared constituency: the taxpayers.

Biggest reason is they get most of their funding courtesy of what the government spends out of the taxes it receives.

Our Southwest Community Development Corp. report this week highlights the chronic failure of close-knit groups, which are often found in the development of both CDCs and charter schools … like-minded people coming together for a common purpose. Over the years, studies have found, those in control have a tendency to become increasingly insular, looking to themselves more and to federal, state, and city guidelines less. They forget they need to make reports, live up to expectations and show fruitful production.

This CDC case, like reports over the mishandling of several charter schools in a similar fashion, demands our responsible legislative bodies revisit the laws creating these institutions. They should develop amendments to increase oversight at every level and almost every moment. It is good the State Senate has proposed a major rewrite of charter-school law.

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