Mayor de Blasio’s plan to impose limits on charter schools hit a brick wall Tuesday when a state commission recommended expanding the privately run schools by allowing them to add pre-K classes.
The unexpected recommendation by Gov. Cuomo’s Education Reform Commission, chaired by former Citigroup head Richard Parsons, put the mayor in an instant bind.
He has repeatedly pledged to institute universal pre-K classes citywide, funded by higher taxes on the wealthy.
But he has also said he wants to charge rent to well-heeled charters located within public-school buildings, a move that advocates say would limit the expansion of the city’s 183 charters.
Rejecting the panel’s recommendation would raise questions about de Blasio’s commitment to pre-K expansion.
Accepting the recommendation would bolster the charters he seems intent on reining in. The Mayor’s Office declined to comment.
Charter champions said there was room for compromise.
“My hope is that if there is a will, there is a way,” said James Merriman, head of the New York City Charter School Center.
State law currently bars charter schools from receiving state funding for pre-K classes.
But Cuomo’s commission issued a report Tuesday calling for a statewide expansion of early-education classes — using every resource available, including the charters.
“There is untapped potential to increase access to pre-kindergarten in high-need communities through public charter schools, which serve many high-need students,” said the panel.
“The commission recommends authorizing existing public charter schools to be considered and included by the state in the expansion of early education on behalf of the high-need populations they serve. The focus should be on increasing access for high-need students wherever they are in the education system,” the panel added.
Cuomo’s office declined to comment, but an administration official said the governor would spell out school-reform proposals Tuesday when he unveils his budget.
Charter-school operators were overjoyed.
“This is a significant and wonderful development,” said Ian Rowe, CEO of Public Prep girls charter schools in the The Bronx and on Lower East Side.
State lawmakers said the idea is worth considering.
“It’s certainly something that’s on the table,” said Assembly Education Committee chair Cathy Nolan (D-Queens).
But city teachers-union boss Mike Mulgrew expressed reservations.
“Before we go opening up any more legislation, I first would like to see SED [the State Education Department ] make the charter industry comply with the legislation that has already been passed,” Mulgrew said, claiming that charters do not serve enough special-need students.