Funding to educate a child follows the child. Wherever a student enrolls, that public school – whether it be district or charter – receives public funding to cover the expenses of the child’s education. The fact is charter schools “cost” districts less money as their per-pupil allocation is lower than what district schools receive per student, which is unfair but forces them to manage their money better. Charter schools allow public resources to stay in the public school system and help ensure that taxpayer dollars are well spent by requiring schools to perform well or close.
In NYS, charter schools do not receive public funding to cover facilities. Overall, charter schools must be good stewards of their funding as they receive about 30 percent less per pupil per year than district schools. State law requires charter schools to be financially transparent about their spending.
