new york charTer facIlITIeS fundIng rePorT eXecuTIVe SuMMary In New York, a state nearly 20 years into the charter school movement, a major hurdle still exists that stifles the new school pipeline: school buildings. The problem is two-fold. It is a huge challenge to find suitable building space. And it is also a significant challenge to pay for one. A great many charters schools do not receive any dedicated public funding to help pay for the schoolhouse building. A groundbreaking law passed in 2014 sends assistance to some schools in New York City. But the policy design prevents many New York City charter children from receiving this funding – and no charters located elsewhere in the state receive continuous and reliable public facilities support. Below we examine the status of charter school facility financing statewide, and explain how upstate schools are struggling desperately to deal with their very real challenges. In a place as large as the Empire State, it can be extremely difficult for the needs of those living outside of New York City to feel that their voices are heard by lawmakers, and sadly when it comes to facilities support for charters, these schools have been left out in the cold. Buffalo and Rochester, both Great Lakes cities famous for snow, also have a high charter school market share. In both cities, educational options are desperately needed. Sincere attention by policymakers for a solution to the charter school facility challenge is long overdue.
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