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Senator Megan Dahle, R-Bieber, issued the following statement today in response to the Senate Education Committee’s passage of Assembly Bill 84:
“Today the Senate Education Committee, by a 4-2 vote, passed Assembly Bill 84, a measure that, in the name of reform, will impose costly new bureaucratic requirements on nonclassroom-based charter schools and ultimately force some to close their doors.
“The Capitol today was crowded with families and children who have thrived under this flexible education model, and I am very disappointed that their voices did not carry more weight with the committee. Every child is different and has unique needs, and our schools must offer alternative paths to meet those needs. Nonclassroom-based charters play a vital role in our larger public school system and their families deserve our support.
“There is a widely recognized need for closer financial controls, and the bipartisan Senate Bill 414, which has passed the Senate, addresses that in a balanced way. The good news is that bill is also moving forward in the Assembly.
“This fight is not over, and there are several more steps before AB 84 can become law. I am encouraged — amazed — by the swell of public engagement on this issue, and I hope families will continue to speak up over the next few months with the Legislature and, potentially, the governor.”