By Thor Jourgensen
LYNN — Local public school teachers and elected officials rallied Thursday morning against the statewide ballot question asking voters on Nov. 8 to increase the number of charter schools in Massachusetts.
“The reality is you can’t talk about raising the (charter) cap without talking about additional underlying causes,” state Sen. Thomas M. McGee told about 50 people gathered on Lynn Common.
Lynn Teachers Union members and elected officials as well as parents assembled on the Common with “no on 2” signs then walked to nearby schools, including Fecteau-Leary Junior/Senior High School and Cobbet Elementary School, to demonstrate opposition against Question 2.
A “yes” vote on 2 will allow approval of up to 12 new charter schools annually. Voting “no” keeps current charter expansion limitations in place.
The Yes on 2 website insists “Charter schools are public schools, open to all children. They have a proven track record of closing the achievement gap for kids who need it the most. They offer longer school days, more personal attention and great teaching.”
But charter expansion opponents, including Lynn Teachers Union President Brant Duncan, said the underlying causes McGee referred to include state funding provisions allowing charter schools to draw tax dollars away from already-underfunded public schools.
School Committee member Lorraine Gately on Thursday said Lynn public schools offer a quality education with half the schools ranked Level One and Two by the state based on spring test score results.
“Our schools are doing so much better,” Gately said.
Thor Jourgensen can be reached at tjourgensen@itemlive.com.