The Jacksonville Civic Council, an influential group of local CEOs, is calling for per pupil funding when it comes to a sales tax referendum for schools.
The Duval County Public Schools Board is pushing to get a referendum on the ballot this year to pay for repairs to aging school buildings in the city.
Supporters of charter schools are advocating for some of those tax dollars to go to charters on a proportionate basis.
“Students learn in different ways and have different needs. We’ve determined that there is a need for charter schools and a need to support them locally,” said Civic Council CEO Jeanne Miller.
Related: Listen to the full interview with Miller on Monday's First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross
Meanwhile, critics of the Civic Council’s position say the referendum is need-based, claiming that charter schools have newer buildings and are pressuring education officials for an outsize share of the financial pie.
Melissa Ross can be reached at mross@wjct.org, 904-358-6382 or on Twitter at @MelissainJax.
