Washington, D.C. — Nina Rees, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Education’s recent $14 million grant award to help public charter schools obtain facilities.
“We applaud the Department of Education for investing in organizations that will help public charter schools obtain facilities through the Credit Enhancement for Charter Schools Facilities Program, and we congratulate Boston Community Loan Fund, Inc., Charter Schools Development Corporation, and the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency (MassDevelopment) on receiving awards.
“One of the greatest challenges public charter schools face is gaining access to adequate facilities. State and local districts often do not provide charter schools with the capital expenses that are available to traditional public schools. Consequently, far too many charter school leaders have to scramble to find acceptable facilities. Credit enhancement funds are a critical funding stream that make it easier for charter schools to borrow funds to build or renovate schools.
“The National Alliance supports increased Charter Schools Program funding to help charter schools get off the ground, enable replication and expansion of successful charter models, and provide more funding for charter school facilities.”
