News about charter schools: A major issue outside Palm Beach County as well

Below is an excerpt from this article written by Marlene Sokol at the Tampa Bay Times, the Florida newspaper that's the recipient of 12 Pulitzer Prizes:

     Hillsborough County school officials thought they had the goods on Kid's Community College, a tax-supported charter school.
     The founder had three relatives on the payroll, suggesting a conflict of interest. His sister had at one time served on the governing board.
     Parents were asked to pay dues to an organization related to the school, another potential conflict. Plus, paying all the fees and donations the school wanted could set a parent back nearly $1,000 — even though public school is supposed to be free.
     Enough, the district said. Time to end the charter that entitled Kid's Community to millions of dollars in state funding.
     That was 2013, when MaryEllen Elia ran the district. A majority on the School Board wanted to keep a close watch on charter schools, which are run independently and compete for public school students.
     The landscape looks different now, as politically powerful charter operators make increasing demands for the same standing as government schools.

For local news coverage of schools and education in Palm Beach County the Extra Credit blog is a good one to follow.