YOUR VOICE IS KEY
When we choose charter schools, we’re choosing a unique educational experience for our children and we’re making a commitment to stay informed about issues affecting charter schools at the state and local level. Our voices open the door to:
- Securing equitable funding for charter school students
- Updating and advancing charter laws
- Amplifying school or district-specific issues
USE YOUR VOICE:
- Serve on the MMCI Advocacy Committee and help spread the word!
- Make calls and write letters of support to State and Local lawmakers
- Give testimony, provide public comment, and attend meetings.
YOUR VOICE COUNTS
1279
FREDERICK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS ENROLLED AT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS
134
FREDERICK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL STAFF EMPLOYED AT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS
As parents, guardians, and staff of charter school students, it is crucial that we speak out against the proposed funding formula changes that are being implemented next year by Frederick County Public Schools. It is important to understand the changes that are being proposed by FCPS and the reasons so that we can effectively advocate for charter schools in Frederick County. To learn more about charter school funding, please plan to attend the town hall at your school in May.
Speak up
The most important thing you can do right now is to contact the Board of Education and tell them that you are requesting a one year funding freeze for charter schools to allow FCPS and charter schools time to plan how to implement these funding formula changes in a way that has the least harmful impact on students
how to contact the board of education:
Charter School Funding Formula Advocacy Talking Points
- 1
Request for One-Year Freeze on Funding Changes: Urge the Board of Education to freeze charter school funding changes for one year to allow time for thoughtful planning and adjustments without disrupting the schools’ ability to provide quality education.
- 2
Impact on Charter Schools and Traditional Public Schools: Emphasize the adverse effects of the maximum permitted funding withhold on both charter and traditional public schools. The intent of the Maryland Blueprint was to improve funding to schools, not cut it.
- 3
Concerns Over Facilities Maintenance and Administrative Expenses: Charter schools face challenges due to FCPS’s plan to withhold funds for district-wide facility maintenance and administrative expenses, contradicting charter contracts and regulations.
- 4
Legal Precedent and Transportation Funding: Highlight the issue of FCPS applying the 25% withholding to transportation funding, contrary to a prior ruling by Maryland’s highest court that excluded transportation from charter school funding frameworks.
- 5
Impact on District-Assigned Schools: If charter schools close, students will return to their district-assigned schools. These schools are often already over capacity, which could exacerbate overcrowding and strain resources.
- 6Examples of Immediate Damage: Share specific examples of the immediate damage the proposed funding plan could cause to charter schools, such as potential school closures, financial deficits, and bankruptcy.
- 7
Protection of Students’ Education and Future: Stress the importance of providing stable funding for charter schools to continue offering diverse educational opportunities and fulfilling the mission of providing the best education possible to students.
- 8
Support for Charter Schools and Community: Emphasize how charter schools strengthen the district by providing alternative pathways for students and staff, alleviating overcrowding in traditional schools, and fostering innovation and collaboration.
- 9
Request for Transparency and Collaboration: Ask the Board of Education to work transparently with charter operators and community stakeholders to find a compromise that supports the diverse needs of all students in Frederick County.
- 10
Reference Prince George’s County Hold Harmless: Mention how Prince George’s County granted its charter schools a one-year “hold harmless” period, which allowed them to refine their Blueprint implementation. Request FCPS to consider a similar approach.
Download sample letters to the BOE
You can copy and paste the text below into your document or click on the link at the bottom of each letter to download a copy in Microsoft Word. Don’t forget to update the highlighted sections with your own information!
Letters should be sent to: board@fcps.org
May 2, 2024
Frederick County Board of Education
191 East St.
Frederick, MD 21710
Dear Frederick County Board of Education Members, As a parent of a child enrolled at [insert school name], I am deeply concerned about the proposed changes to charter school funding. My child is assigned to [Name of home school] which is currently over capacity, and if the charter school closes, my child will be returning to an overcrowded environment.
The proposed funding cuts would not only disrupt my child’s education but also strain resources in the assigned school. Overcrowding would compromise the quality of education and create additional challenges for teachers and students.
Charter schools provide important alternative pathways for students, alleviate overcrowding in traditional schools, and contribute to the overall strength of the district. Losing these schools would impact the entire community.
I urge you to consider the consequences of the proposed funding changes and support the diverse needs of all students. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
Sincerely,
[Parent’s Name]
[Parent’s Address]
[City, State, Zip]
May 2, 2024
Frederick County Board of Education
191 East St.
Frederick, MD 21710
Dear Frederick County Board of Education Members,
As a parent of a child enrolled at [insert school name], I urge you to consider freezing charter school funding changes for one year to allow time for thoughtful planning and adjustments.
The proposed funding cuts threaten the sustainability of charter schools and could lead to immediate damage, such as school closures and financial deficits. These changes would harm teachers, students, and the entire community.
FCPS’s plan to withhold funds for district-wide facility maintenance and administrative expenses contradicts charter contracts and regulations. It is essential that these decisions are made transparently and collaboratively with charter operators and community stakeholders.
I also encourage FCPS to consider the approach taken by Prince George’s County, which granted its charter schools a one-year “hold harmless” period to refine their Blueprint implementation. This approach could help avoid unnecessary harm to students and staff.
Thank you for your time and attention to this critical matter. I hope you will take steps to protect the future of charter schools in Frederick County.
Sincerely,
[Parent’s Name]
[Parent’s Address]
[City, State, Zip]
May 2, 2024
Frederick County Board of Education
191 East St.
Frederick, MD 21710
Dear Frederick County Board of Education Members,
As a parent of a child enrolled at [insert school name], I urge you to consider freezing charter school funding changes for one year to allow time for thoughtful planning and adjustments.
The proposed funding cuts threaten the sustainability of charter schools and could lead to immediate damage, such as school closures and financial deficits. These changes would harm teachers, students, and the entire community.
FCPS’s plan to withhold funds for district-wide facility maintenance and administrative expenses contradicts charter contracts and regulations. It is essential that these decisions are made transparently and collaboratively with charter operators and community stakeholders.
I also encourage FCPS to consider the approach taken by Prince George’s County, which granted its charter schools a one-year “hold harmless” period to refine their Blueprint implementation. This approach could help avoid unnecessary harm to students and staff.
Thank you for your time and attention to this critical matter. I hope you will take steps to protect the future of charter schools in Frederick County.
Sincerely,
[Parent’s Name]
[Parent’s Address]
[City, State, Zip]
April 30, 2024
Frederick County Board of Education
191 East St.
Frederick, MD 21710
Dear Frederick County Board of Education Members,
As a [job title] at [Monocacy Valley / Carroll Creek] Montessori Public Charter School, I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed changes to charter school funding. These changes threaten the sustainability of our schools and could negatively impact teaching and learning environments.
I urge you to consider freezing charter school funding changes for one year to allow time for thoughtful planning and adjustments. This pause will provide the opportunity to develop a plan that ensures stable funding for charter schools and preserves our ability to offer high-quality education to students.
The proposed funding cuts may lead to staff reductions, program limitations, and school closures, which would harm both teachers and students. We already operate on tight budgets, and further reductions could jeopardize the success of our schools.
If charter schools are forced to close, students will return to their district-assigned schools, which are often already over capacity. This would exacerbate overcrowding issues and place additional strain on teachers and resources.
I encourage collaboration between the charter schools and the Board of Education to find a compromise that supports the diverse needs of all students in Frederick County. By working together, we can uphold the principles of the Maryland Blueprint and provide the best possible education for our students.
Thank you for your time and attention to this critical matter.
Sincerely,
[Staff member Name] [Position/job title] [Charter School Name]
[Student’s Name] [Student’s Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Date]
Dear Board of Education,
I’m writing to tell you how much I love going to [Charter School Name]. It’s my favorite place to learn and play with my friends. I heard that some people want to close our school, and it makes me sad.
If our school closes, I’ll miss my teachers and friends a lot. I won’t be able to do all the fun things we do at school, like working with the special materials and learning new things every day. I’m worried I won’t have a school where I feel happy and safe.
Please don’t close our school. It’s important to me and all my friends. I hope you can help us keep our school open so we can keep learning and having fun together.
Thank you for listening.
From,
[Student’s Name]
[Student’s Name] [Student’s Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]
[Date]
Dear Members of the Board of Education,
I’m writing to you because I’m really worried about something. I heard that there’s a chance our school, [Charter School Name], might close down because it doesn’t have enough money. This news has been on my mind a lot lately, and I wanted to share my thoughts with you.
You see, [Charter School Name] isn’t just a school to me—it’s like a second home. I’ve made so many friends here, and my teachers are like family. They’ve helped me grow and learn in ways I never thought possible. If our school closes, I don’t know what I’ll do without them.
One of the things I love most about [Charter School Name] is the way we learn. We get to do hands-on activities and learn at our own pace, which makes learning fun. I don’t want to lose that.
Please, please, please don’t let our school close. It means so much to me and all my friends, and I know we’ll be lost without it. I hope you’ll consider keeping [Charter School Name] open so we can continue to learn and grow together.
Thank you for reading my letter.
Sincerely,
[Student’s Name]
[Student’s Name] [Student’s Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]
[Date]
Dear Members of the Board of Education, I am writing to express my concern about the potential closure of [Charter School Name]. As a student at [Charter School Name], I have grown to love my school and the community it provides. The thought of losing our school is deeply troubling to me and many of my classmates.
[Charter School Name] has been more than just a place of learning—it has been a second home where I have formed lasting friendships and received an excellent education. The proposed funding changes threaten the existence of our school and the opportunities it provides to students like me.
It would be devastating for us to leave our school and transition to a new one where we don’t know anyone. The closure of [Charter School Name] would not only disrupt our education but also impact our social and emotional well-being.
I urge the Board of Education to reconsider the proposed funding changes and ensure that charter schools like [Charter School Name] receive equitable funding. Our school plays a vital role in the community, and its closure would have far-reaching consequences for students, families, and staff.
Thank you for considering my concerns.
Sincerely,
[Student’s Name]
