Tennessee Lawmakers Approve Historic Funding for Public Charter Schools

NASHVILLE – Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS) today released the following statement to thank lawmakers and Governor Bill Lee for including $40 million, allocated per pupil, in this year's budget to help ensure public charter school students have the same access to quality school facilities as other students.

"No child should be expected to learn in a school building that's below standard, and the $40 million that lawmakers approved today will help correct the unequal learning environment that too many charter school students experience," said TSS President and CEO Lana Skelo. "This investment doubles the amount allocated last year for charter facilities and truly shows that Tennessee lawmakers are willing to prioritize what’s best for Tennessee students and families even during a tight budget year."

The one-time charter facilities funding approved today is in addition to the $22 million currently included in the state's TISA funding formula for charter schools. Combined, this is the largest single-year investment in charter funding to date.

Charter schools are free public schools operated by a non-profit organization under a "charter" with a school district or the state. Unlike traditional public schools, public charter schools do not receive local funding for facilities. Polling released by TSS in February showed that 71 percent of Tennessee voters support public school choice, and 61 percent would be likely to send their children to a school other than their zoned public school.