Bill giving towns around Charlotte charter school authority becomes law

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Lawmakers passed a bill Wednesday allowing towns in Mecklenburg County to create their own charter schools.

The House gave final approval to House Bill 514 64-53. It doesn't require Governor Cooper's signature, so it has become law.

The controversial legislation gives Charlotte-area communities of Matthews, Mint Hill, Huntersville, and Cornelius to apply for them to create the non-traditional public schools.

African-American clergy and former Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board members said they worry it will bring North Carolina back to the Jim Crow era where suburban schools were racially segregated.

"This is not the time to go backwards,” said Arthur Griffin, former CMS board chairman.

Those who support it, including Huntersville mayor John Aneralla, don't think it would segregate students.

"The lottery doesn't discriminate. I think that's a false argument,” Aneralla said.

Opponents don't think that response is fair because attendance would be limited to the towns where charter schools would be created.

They said it's easy to see how it could create racial divisions when you take a look at how the demographics break down in those towns. In Matthews, Mint Hill, Huntersville and Cornelius, the population is approximately 75 percent white.

Town leaders said they want to open their own charter schools because CMS isn't relieving overcrowded classrooms. Aneralla told Channel 9 Wednesday he's excited about working with his town board and other municipalities to see how to move forward.

"CMS is spending $922 million on a bond package that was voted on in November which only included one school, a magnet school, for our Huntersville residents,” Aneralla said.

Other mayors we spoke with said they don't anticipate action soon, but they wanted the option.

"With the passage of HB 514, we now have the right to provide another public school option for families in Matthews, should it be needed in the future," Matthews mayor Paul Bailey said in a statement. "While we are fortunate to have excellent schools in Matthews, the problem is there are too few of them and CMS has indicated that new schools in our area are decades away. HB 514 will allow Matthews the option to build schools, while partnering with CMS to educate our students."

Other mayors were also happy with the new option.

"I am pleased that HB514 passed. We currently have four great CMS schools in Cornelius and are pleased with the current quality of education provided. However, we would like to have options for the future in case the quality of education is ever compromised. In my opinion, the town does not desire to be in the business of schools, however, the option to help assure quality education for our children is of great importance. In addition, any change in direction that includes town funding for charter schools should require a referendum voted on by our citizens," said Cornelius Mayor Woody Washam.

Huntersville Commissioner Nick Walsh told Channel 9:

"I don’t think Huntersville really wants to be in the education business. There is no debate about the need for more schools across Mecklenburg County. While we can get lost in discussions about the wisdom of past decisions, that yields little. We have to look at the future and move forward from this point. In my talks with two CMS representative, there was no plan on how they would accommodate the thousands of new students that will very shortly call Huntersville home. There was no plan on how they will mitigate the overcrowding that is a realty the CMS school system. HB 514 is nothing more than a relief valve to an over pressurized reality. It is incumbent on CMS to collaborate with state, county, and local officials to address the challenges that I reference to above. If they can’t, then local officials will step in looking for alternatives to achieve the goal of providing school space and educating the children of Huntersville. It is my hope that we can all work together to address these challenges. If not, Huntersville will move forward with the options available to us."

Opponents said they would sue if necessary to stop the measure from becoming law because it could open the door for institutional racism.

"We're not going to sit down and take this,” Griffin said.

CMS released a statement after the bill passed, reading in part, "As impacts of HB514 are evaluated and possible responses explored, the district will continue to work with leaders, families, parents, teachers, staff and students from across Charlotte-Mecklenburg to help build vibrant futures for children today and tomorrow."

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