City Opposes Charter

Warren, Michigan has gone through a number of moves to prevent the opening of a charter school in their town:

City Councilwoman Mindy Moore will offer a resolution tonight asking the state to deny building and construction permits for Conner Creek Academy East, the charter school that would be built at 13 Mile and Ryan roads. Last week, Mayor Mark Steenbergh asked Gov. Jennifer Granholm to prevent the school from being built.

And Council President Jim Fouts has gathered more than 1,000 signatures from residents against the project. Officials have said that if the school is built the city will miss out on more than $300,000 in tax revenue. They also note the immediate area already has several high and middle schools.

"This is probably the first time a city has opposed the opening of a charter," Moore said Monday.

Charles Meredith, Conner Creek's superintendent, said Monday the academy is working with state officials and hopes to get final approval on its plans as early as this week.

Moore said state officials have promised to hold off on the go-ahead until after a traffic study is completed.

Moore and others have said most of the students would be driven to the school from other cities -- meaning more traffic.

The academy, which operates three schools in Roseville, plans to use the new building for middle- and high-school students.

The story does not explain why tax revenue would be lost, but this seems to be a common theme amoung charter opponents. The tax revenue is not "lost" it is right there in the publicly funded charter school. Of course, "lost" for politicians means that they won't control the money--which is more important to them rather than actually providing a better education.

Finally, is the town really objecting to the school on the grounds of TRAFFIC!!!!!


Arghh, these people are too stupid to run a town.