29-05-2025
Bill seeks to oversee charter schools, but education centers say it's detrimental
(FOX 5/KUSI) — There's growing concern from California charter schools that a new bill in the state legislature would cut funding, if approved.
The Assembly members behind AB 84, titled the School Accountability Bill, said the bill is intended to create more oversight for charter schools, but the schools disagree and say the consequences of the bill may be detrimental.
'I'm doing animals, robotics and I'm also doing crochet,' kindergartener and soon-to-be first grader Vienna said she's taking those courses through the Homeschool Enrichment Centers.
Woodworking, violin, sign language, skateboarding, French, Kung Fu, are just some of the courses offered through the Homeschool Enrichment Centers, which offer academic or extracurricular classes for homeschooled students or as independent study programs through charters.
'I started it actually for my daughter, who just didn't fit that mold of being able to sit still in a regular classroom for 7 hours a day,' Leslie Kitchen, the founder and owner of Homeschool Enrichment Centers, said. 'And now I just have a passion for alternative education for our students.'
Through the centers, 16-year-old Ehmi Leonard just graduated from high school, as a junior in college as well.
Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi brought the bill forward, and said it's aimed to be an oversight and accountability bill, sparked by the A3 Charter School Scandal, when several people defrauded the state out of more than $50 million in public funds by opening 19 charter schools in San Diego and elsewhere. Those behind the scandal were formally charged in 2019.
'Charter schools, they are privately run but receive public taxpayer dollars, these are education dollars that are meant for our kids, and unfortunately there are some bad actors that have recognized this as a money making opportunity to abuse the system and so that's what this bill is trying to crack down, we're not going after the good charter schools, we're trying to crack down on the bad actors,' Assemblymember Muratsuchi said.
But Kitchen said it would have other detrimental consequences if it goes through, and says the charter school funding would be cut by 30 percent, forcing her to reduce classes by about 75 percent and spend millions of dollars on new audits, which she said some are already being done.
'We already have laws in place, we already have audits in place, it seems a little one-sided,' Melissa Allen, parent and educator at the center, said.
'Will we have to close? That's a good question,' Kitchen said. 'That would mean having to cut the people who can't afford the classes, and that grips my heart.'
The bill would also no longer allow classes to be taught by people who don't have a California teaching credential, even if they are credentialed in other states, or have years of professional experience in the field they are teaching young students.
Local archaeologist Melissa Allen said this bill would hurt her twofold, as a teacher and as a mom.
'Ninety percent of what I make comes from partnering with independent and charter schools, it would also be detrimental to me as a mother because I have my children in this program,' said.
'As a lifelong educator, who's taught in both charter and non-charter public schools, I understand the importance of flexible options to enhance educational experience and outcomes for our students,' Assemblymember Robert Garcia, a backer of the bill, said.
'The heavily documented reports of fraud committed by non-classroom-based charters clearly reveal a concerning lack of oversight and accountability on the use of public funds.'
'AB 84 is not an anti-charter school bill- it is a comprehensive, school accountability bill implementing a number of recommendations made by unbiased and nonpartisan organizations such as the Legislative Analyst's Office and FCMAT, to ensure greater transparency for all schools – district and charter alike. We owe it to our kids to ensure they are receiving the best education and resources that they deserve,' Garcia said.
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