03-09-16: RADIO REPORT: Victory for supporters of charter schools (audio)

RADIO BROADCAST FEED TRANSCRIPT

March 9, 2016

CONTACT: Ruth Johnson, Assistant Broadcast Coordinator - (360) 786-7792

Victory for supporters of charter schools

Legislator: Reps. Chad Magendanz, R-Issaquah, Maureen Walsh, R-Walla Walla, Matt Manweller, R-Ellensburg
Date Recorded:  03-09-16
Run Time: :50 (extended); :42 (condensed)
Download online voicer:  https://soundcloud.com/wahousegop/03-09-16-radio-report-victory-for-supporters-of-charter-schools-audio
SUGGESTED LEAD:   In one of the most lengthy and emotional votes in recent history, lawmakers in Olympia have approved a bill that would resurrect charter schools.  The move comes months after the state Supreme Court declared that using existing funding resources for the schools was unconstitutional.  Ruth Johnson reports from Olympia.

(Voicer: MagendanzWalshManweller-CHARTERvote-VOICER Mixdown 3.mp3 - Run time : seconds.)

Magendanz: "We need choices."

Johnson:  The debate on the floor lasted two hours and 17 minutes.  There was one bill, one key amendment, and 20 revisions.

Magendanz:  "One size does not fit all when it comes to education.  Children have different learning styles."

Johnson: Dozens of lawmakers weighed in.

Walsh: "What are we afraid of?  That potentially a thousand kids out of a million kids are actually going to hit graduation...?"

The bill addresses the courts concerns about constitutionality.  It creates a new funding stream for charter schools--drawing on monies from the Opportunity Pathways account.

Said opponents:  the court won't be satisfied.

Manweller: "We have heard a lot of concerns about the possibilities of what won't work with charter schools.  We should vote not our fears, but vote our hope."

Johnson: In the end, the legislation passed: 58-39.

Ruth Johnson, Olympia.

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