Michigan lawmakers clash over charter school transparency laws

LANSING, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) — Michigan has about 370 charter schools. They are public schools that are partially funded by taxpayer dollars, but in some cases are operated by for-profit companies.

About 150,000 Michigan students attend one of these meetings.

Advocates say they give parents an option. But some say they need more transparency when it comes to the way they do business.

And that has created a firestorm in Lansing.

“Well, I’ve never seen such a spectacle, nor did I ever expect to see anything like it in any unit of American government,” said Senator John Damoose (R-37).

It is not often that fireworks are set off during a Senate Education Committee meeting. But on Wednesday morning they did.

“We heard about it for the first time and voted on the same day and it’s just a horrible legislative process,” Damoose said.

A process that moved a package of bills targeting Michigan’s Charter Schools out of committee and into the full Senate in Michigan’s lame duck session, something that did not sit well with committee member Senator John Damoose.

“They take things that they think will hurt them in an election, and when no one is looking, we sneak through at the end of the year,” Damoose said. “That is an illegal administrative process.”

But Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-5), who sponsored a number of bills, sees things differently. She believes that regardless of how it becomes law, what she is advocating for is in the best interest of Michigan taxpayers.

“These bills simply target so-called education management organizations,” Polehanki said.

Michigan has approximately 370 charter schools. They are public schools that are partially funded by taxpayer dollars, but in some cases are operated by for-profit companies.

“I believe having a charter school option has done nothing but help our traditional public schools,” Damoose said.

And to some extent, senators agree.

“Most of the charter schools I’ve attended have been absolutely wonderful. I champion their excellence,” Polehanki said. “They’re not going anywhere.”

But where they differ is that Senator Polehanki believes, and what her proposed legislation calls for, is that those charter schools should open their books for taxpayers to see.

“I think the taxpayers here in Michigan should have the right to know how much profit these education management organizations or EMOs are keeping from our money,” Polehanki said.

But can Michigan taxpayers get the transparency they deserve without these bills being passed?

“Yeah, I mean, they absolutely are, and maybe there are areas where they can be improved,” Damoose said. “I mean, some of what they’re trying to get into is just so incredibly wrong.”

Senator Damoose said the package of bills passed Wednesday could effectively prevent private companies from getting involved in charter schools. And in some cases this can lead to closures.

“There is one part, which I really connected with, the most devastating part, that says a charter school run by a private organization cannot own its own school facilities and buildings,” Damoose said. “This will shut these guys down.”

While those who support the bills say that regardless of past performance, charter schools have an obligation.

“We just want to know that our taxpayer dollars are getting to the kids and the teachers,” Polehanki said.

Senator Damoose points out that while Michigan ranks 37th nationwide in education, we are in the top 10 in school test performance. He worries that this type of legislation will deter companies from investing in charter schools, and that Michigan parents could lose that option.

We reached out to local charter schools for this story. They did not respond to our request.