State Board of Education Vice Chairman Thomas Ratliff wants people to know that charter school superintendents are making more money -- at times surprisingly more money -- than their public school peers. He wants to know if the schools that are run like a business, but take state funds per student, are using those state funds wisely.
The release has caused a stir in education circles with lots of pushback coming from charter school supporters and workers. Several organizations have released letters criticizing his interpretation of the data, but also pointing out that charter schools are held to the same standard of transparency as their public-school associates.
One letter says while only educating 3.5 percent of Texas students, charter schools made up 24 percent of the state comptrollers highest ranking for fiscal efficiency.
Are charter schools spending too much on salaries? Are the top 10 superintendents indicative of the whole? Is there a legislative fix?
Guests:
- Thomas Ratliff, State Board of Education member for District 9
- Mike Villarreal, San Antonio state representative and member of House Committee on Public Education
- Mark Larson, CEO of KIPP: San Antonio, a charter school in the community
*This is the first segment in the May 6 edition of The Source, which airs at 3 p.m. on KSTX 89.1 FM. Audio from this show will be posted by 5:30 p.m.
