Creating charter school board hits roadblock

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to create a new statewide board to authorize those creating charter schools has hit a major roadblock in the state Legislature.

Walker included the change in his state budget proposal. But Sen. Alberta Darling, co-chair of the Legislature’s budget committee, said Wednesday that proposal will be removed from the plan and considered as separate legislation.

It is generally more difficult to pass a separate bill than it is to get something approved in the larger, more comprehensive budget.

A similar proposal for a state charter schools board failed in the last legislative session.

Opponents say the current system works fine but supporters argue having a statewide board would help oversee the quality of those authorizing charter schools in local communities.