NORTHAMPTON — A proposed ballot question that could lift the existing cap on the number of charter schools in the state will be the subject of a public forum Wednesday night at JFK Middle School on Bridge Road.
Northampton Mayor David J. Narkewicz and Massachusetts Teachers Association President Barbara Madeloni will be featured speakers at the event from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
They will join parents, educators and community leaders in discussing the financial impact that charter schools have on the city and local school districts as well as the potential financial effects of additional charter schools.
The forum is organized by Save Our Public Schools, a grassroots organization of Massachusetts families, parents, educators, and students. “We’re hoping for some good turnout,” said Rose Bookbinder, a Haydenville parent and organizer with Save Our Public Schools.
The forum is one of several being held around the state, she said.
Northampton has sent $2,087,117 to charter schools in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, according to figures provided by the mayor’s office.
Statewide, 243 school districts sent more than $408 million to charter schools, according to data cited by Save Our Schools.
The organization is seeking to stop the state from opening more charter schools saying it would send as much as $100 million additional taxpayers dollars “to charters that are not held accountable to the local communities they serve.”
“We are united in opposition to the proposed ballot initiative to lift the charter school cap in Massachusetts,” the organization stated in a news release Monday. “Our public schools cannot afford to lose vital funding while we are seeing programs cut and activities reduced.”
Staff Writer Dan Crowley can be reached at dcrowley@gazettenet.com.