Texas State Teachers Association President Ovidia Molina released the following statement:  At a time when public schools face unprecedented financial challenges from the coronavirus pandemic and statagencies are being asked to cut spending, Education Commissioner Mike Morath has approved eight new charter school applications for Texas. Three are for corporate-style charter chains based outside of Texas. The big question is “why?”    (31)

Why has the commissioner chosen to further dilute the public education budget at a time when districts are
struggling to meet expensive, critical demands for online learning, protective equipment for students and
employees and other additional costs caused by Texas’ health emergency? This funding crisis will continue
beyond the upcoming school year and well after these new charters open, if they aren’t vetoed by the State
Board of Education.
Texas doesn’t need eight new charter schools. Our traditional public school districts will continue to address the
educational needs of the vast majority of Texas’ 5.5 million school children, and they need all the financial help
they can get during this very difficult time. Their students and educators need the undivided support of the
education commissioner, not competition from more charter schools.
These new charters will get to selectively pick their students as they take much-needed tax dollars from existing
public schools. The Texas State Teachers Association calls on the State Board of Education to veto his
recommendations when it considers the charter applications next month.    (20)