But Mr. Adamowski emphasized that the CPS charter contracts have sufficient safeguards to encourage achievement. School board members were split in their support. Board member Lynn Marmer was absent. Mr. Gilligan supported the proposals despite initially voic ing hesitancy about embracing charter schools as a reform. These aren't our schools except in the sense that we pay for them.
Charter schools are independent, public schools free from many state and union regulations.
Ohio lawmakers authorized them in 1997 to give parents more educational choices, spur innovation and force public districts to improve through competition. Some entire districts have chartered in California and Florida. Critics complain that charter schools are an experimental reform that drain dollars and students from public schools. Students then will go to Bond Hill, Roselawn Condon and Losantiville schools. The Cincinnati Enquirer , a Gannett Co. Inc. newspaper.