LANSING, Mich. — Charter public schools save the state of Michigan between $36 million and $52 million annually, according to the Saline Reporter. The savings are the result of charter public schools receiving smaller per-pupil foundation allowances compared to conventional public schools.
Currently, charter public schools receive a maximum per-pupil foundation allowance of $7,110. According to the Reporter, if that cap was raised to the maximum $8,019 that conventional public schools get, charter public schools would receive an additional $52 million statewide. If the cap was only raised to the lesser of $8,019 or whatever the local district receives, public school expenditures would only increase by $36 million.
SOURCES:
The Saline Reporter, “Charter schools would receive an extra $36 to $52 million statewide if per-pupil spending matched local districts,” Jan. 3, 2012
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, “How School Funding Works: Myths About Michigan’s Foundation Allowance,” May 12, 2010
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