By Howard Fischer | AZ Capitol Times
Arizona is getting $34.8 million in federal funds to help create and expand charter schools in the state.
Under the program, up to $300,000 would be available to nonprofit organizations hoping to set up a new school as an alternative to traditional public schools. Funds also would be available to existing charter schools to expand their operations.
State schools chief Tom Horne, whose agency is administering the grant, figures that amount of money in the grant is enough to establish 24 new charter schools and expand an additional 23, which is enough, he figures, to serve about 10,000 students.
The idea, according to Mark Francis who works with the state Department of Education on charter issues, is not to permanently subsidize these schools but instead to get them on their feet. He said that includes everything from hiring specialists to plan the program to buying the necessary chairs and desks.
