Charter school funding waits on feds

The federal government offers states a grant that helps new charter schools cover start-up costs. New Hampshire’s federal grant was set to expire this July. The state was granted a one-year extension and has applied for another five-year, $5.4 million grant.

The state Department of Education told NHPR that unless the new federal grant is approved, it will be difficult for any new charter schools to open in New Hampshire. Charter schools have to rely on private fundraising and federal grant money to cover start-up costs, such as finding a building.

However, opponents of the federal grants argue that there is not enough oversight of how that federal money is spent. Some charter schools in New Hampshire that received federal money closed after just a few years due to mismanagement.

Other New Hampshire charter schools are growing, and have graduated students that dropped out of traditional public high schools. Charter school supporters also note that New Hampshire charter schools are required to submit quarterly financial reports to the New Hampshire Department of Education.