Braintree School Committee Votes Against Lifting Charter School Cap

BRAINTREE, MA — The Braintree School Committee has taken a stand against a ballot question that would allow for more charter schools in the state.

Monday night, the committee voted to oppose Question 2, a proposal that would allow for up to 12 new charter schools in Massachusetts a year, with no cap for total schools. Committee members criticized the funding mechanism for the schools, noting that the town loses about $200,000 a year to charter schools.

“It’s a money issue in many ways. I’m not saying charter schools are bad schools, however, it does have a financial impact on Braintree and other municipalities the way it’s funded,” Mayor Joseph Sullivan said.

Committee member Tom Devin added that he feels that charter schools are not as open as public schools.

“I like the fact that a student shows up in September, we don’t know where they’re from, and we educate them. The door is always open. I don’t think that’s the case with charter schools,” he said.

The state's cap for charter schools stands at 72.

Voters will have their say on Question 2 when they head to the polls on Nov. 8.