Stunned charter-school backers yesterday accused state lawmakers of discriminating against them by pushing legislation to help defray capital costs of the state’s priciest private prep schools — but not of charters, which serve lower-income students.
As reported in yesterday’s Post, one measure would allow the Riverdale Country school in The Bronx to obtain more favorable tax-exempt financing through the state Dormitory Authority.
Charter schools have pushed for similar proposal for years — but have been thwarted by the Legislature, sources said.
“We shouldn’t be discriminating against public charter schools. To allow these private elite institutions to get this benefit from the state of New York and deny charter schools that serve the neediest inner-city kids is unconscionable,” said pro-charter Assemblyman Sam Hoyt (D-Buffalo).
Meanwhile, Harlem Village Academies got a thumbs-up yesterday from actor Denzel Washington and his wife, Pauletta, who visited their East Harlem middle school.
“The kids at this school are already achieving 100 percent in math and science, and we want these kids to apply that knowledge and go on to higher levels of achievement,” said Washington.
The Washingtons were in town to promote their Foundation for Gifted Scholars Program in Neuroscience.