Do you have questions about Charter Schools? The League has a position.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information:  Cheryl Budzinski 309/253-9594; c_budzinski@hotmail.com
 
Greater Peoria League of Women Voters March 15, 2017 event,
Do you have questions about Charter Schools? The League has a position.

The Greater Peoria League of Women Voters will discuss Charter Schools at its Drinks & Dialogue event, 5:30 – 6:30 pm on Wednesday, March 15, at the Lariat Steakhouse, 2322 W. Glen Ave., Peoria.
 
Leaguer Lisa Uphoff will discuss the League's position on Charter Schools and explain the relationships with public school districts and funding.
 
Leaguer of Women Voters of Greater Peoria participated in the state League's Charter Schools study in 2014-15. LWVIL's position is: "The League of Women Voters of Illinois supports accountability, transparency, and equity in the use of public funds for education, including charter schools...." LWVIL believes(partial list):

• Adequate funding is needed for all public schools including charters, but financial impact evaluated prior to granting charters
• Existing charter should be evaluated at least every 5 years
• Charters should be revoked if they repeatedly or egregiously fail in 7 specific areas
• Employees have the right to unionize
• Authority to renew or authorize exclusively should be done by the local school board
• Local voters should be able to override ISBE decision overriding local school board decision re charters
• Good communication on effective innovations is needed among all public schools

Further, four concerns about charters are: financial impact on school districts; privatization and profit-making; lack of transparency; and virtual education.
 
League members and the public are invited to participate in the dialogue, to be facilitated by League secretary, Lisa Uphoff.
 
The  event is free and the public is invited. Refreshments are available for purchase.
 
Drinks and Dialogue is offered on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, starting at 5:30 pm and ending promptly at 6:30 pm, always at a local restaurant, to discuss local, state and national topics relating to approved LWV positions, aimed at ‘Making Democracy Work.’
The League is a non-partisan, issues oriented, volunteer, member-directed organization committed to open, responsive and effective government brought about by informed, involved citizens with membership open to both men and women in Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties. For more information, go to www.lwvgp.org.
 
Inquires may be directed to Cheryl Budzinski, at 309-253-9594 or c_budzinski@hotmail.com.

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