Withhold Final Approval for New Roots Charter School At This TIme

SUNY Charter Schools Institute
Ralph Rossi, Vice-President and Generl Counsel
41 State Street, Suite 700
Albany, New York 12207

Attn: New Roots Charter School, Ithaca, NY

Dear Mr. Rossi,

We, the undersigned, are asking The Charter School Institute to place a freeze on all funding for the New Roots Charter School and/or withhold final approval for the New Roots application at this time.

As was eloquently stated recently in an editorial in The Ithaca Journal of January 8, 2009, This is a terrible time to be running a school, let alone starting one. New Roots is now poised to begin its operations during the worst of the fiscal crisis. The Commission on Property Tax Relief is recommending consolidation and mergers, including schools. In Tompkins County, [however,] we are multiplying educational offerings. [While] we are all for competition.we question how Paterson and the State Education Department are funding new school operations like New Roots while the public school system collectively holds its breath during the next year or so. The funding and opening of New Roots is 180 degrees off of where the rest of state government is heading in 2009. We think it would be proper for the state [and Charter School Institute] to freeze the openings of any new schools. New Roots curriculum could be folded into the district. The money saved could be used to prop up existing schools, or be used to stave off more cuts in other areas of government during the fiscal downturn. [While] competition is good, we question whether during the depth of a financial crisis is the best time to try it.

It would be wise and prudent for the Ithaca community to have a chance to support its existing public schools, educational programs, students and staff to the fullest extent possible during this time of severe financial crisis.