The Assembly, the city and the United Federation of Teachers struck a tentative accord last night to more than double the number of charter schools in the state from 200 to 460.
“A final draft has to be worked out,” said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, (D-Man). “I have every reason to believe that people will be on board.”
The state Senate and Gov. Paterson would have to sign off on any compromise. An Assembly vote was expected early today.
Sources said one of the most contentious issues — the so-called space wars pitting charter schools against traditional public schools over shared facilities — had been resolved. A building committee would be set up to address problems.
And an appeals process would be established allowing for a traditional public school to be heard when it opposes a sharing arrangement, according to the sources.
The Assembly bill also would require operators who want to run charter schools to participate in a competitive bidding process.
The Assembly proposal would bar for-profit firms from operating charters.
But the several that already have schools up and running will be grandfathered in. The teachers’ union had fought for the ban.
The for-profit ban had state Senate Republicans fuming and threatening to hold up passage.
The charter movement also scored a victory with the defeat of a plan to limit the number of kids attending charters — the so-called saturation provision.
Democratic lawmakers also claimed they were stripping Schools Chancellor Joel Klein of his role in sponsoring charter schools. They said he never had the legal authority to do so, according to sources.
City Hall insiders disputed that, saying Klein maintains his power to help authorize charters.
The frenzied legislative activity came as Tuesday’s deadline approached for New York to submit its application for federal “Race to the Top” funds, that could total $700 million.
The states are judged in part by whether they promote charter schools and support other educational reforms.