Will Sen. Perkins follow this man?

State Senator Bill Perkins, who The Chalkboard recently discussed following a profile by the New York Times, is at it again. His office announced this evening that he's conducting a public hearing to "look at the books of companies affiliated with charter schools."

When the state's economy and fiscal condition is hemorrhaging jobs and revenue, and the state budget is a colossal mess with no chance of being adopted by the April 1st deadline, not to worry: Bill Perkins is hard at work against charter schools and the organizations that support them.

The question is: Is Bill Perkins on a witchhunt?

Teacher Union Inspiration
Not to let Sen. Perkins off the hook, but don't think for a minute he's doing this alone. His pursuit has the full backing of the United Federation of Teachers, which has it out for charter schools and demagogues them as "charter corporate." This is not a coincidence.

Charter schools are under tremendous scrutiny. Every partner organization and management company undergoes a rigorous review as part of the charter approval process of the Regents and State University of New York which authorize charter schools. What is so ironic about this upcoming Perkins hearing is that these companies have accomplished so much good for children in this state to the point where objective outside studies have shown that charter schools are an academic success, particularly in Sen. Perkins' own backyard in upper Manhattan.

Several charter support organizations and management companies sprang up from New York, others came to our state from other states where they were successful. They should be welcomed, not harassed by a politician with a gavel.

If there is to be a modicum of fairness with Sen. Perkins, he should investigate the UFT in the same manner that he is charter organizations. Otherwise, his hearing will come off as a McCarthyite pursuit that attempts to smear good people and accomplishes nothing for students.

Peter Murphy
for The Chalkboard
Twitter.com/petermurphy26
Facebook: "Chalkboard Nycsa"