Local charter school operator opposes part of Cleveland schools reform plan

CLEVELAND - A local charter school operator fears Cleveland's education reform plan would place an unfair burden on anyone wanting to open new charter schools.

The goal of the reform plan is to improve the quality of education in Cleveland. A Transformation Alliance, whose members would include the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and a charter school, would have the authority to sign off on the opening of new charter schools.

"Anyone wishing to open a charter school in the city is effectively going to have to go to their competition and say 'Can I open a school in the city?'" Richard Lukich, chairman of Constellation Schools said.

Lukich was scheduled to testify before the Ohio House Education Committee Wednesday. Thirteen of Lukich's 19 schools are in Cleveland. Six are rated excellent or excellent with distinction by the state.

"With an organization like ours that has a successful history, why should we be required to jump through one more hoop?" he said. "Why should there be one more level of bureaucracy that we have to get through in order to open a school?"

Cleveland Schools CEO Eric Gordon said it's a concern that will have to be addressed.

"How do we not over-regulate the ability to open charter schools but still have some assurance that a school that will open will be high quality," he said.