Article: Charter Schools: a brief history

	Posted on Mon, Nov. 28, 2005 (Akron Beacon Journal) Charter schools and our Speaker of the House in bed together? I think so! John Curry
	Charter schools: a brief history June 1997: A late-comer nationally in the creation of charter schools, the Ohio legislature includes in the two-year budget an experiment with privately run, publicly financed charter schools in the Toledo area. August 1997: Before any charter schools have opened, the legislature expands the program from a test in the Toledo area to an ongoing program in the eight major cities. September 1998: First 15 charter schools open. Among them is the conversion of the private Interfaith Elementary in Akron into Hope Academy University Campus, managed by Akron businessman David Brennan's White Hat Management. White Hat becomes the state's largest for-profit operator and one of the largest in the country. June 1999: After one year of operation, legislature expands charter schools to 58 districts. May 2001: Ohio Federation of Teachers, Ohio PTA, Ohio School Boards Association and others file lawsuit challenging constitutionality of charter schools. The suit names state school board as plaintiff and uses White Hat Management schools in a number of examples. December 2002: Legislature approves bill sponsored by state Rep. Jon Husted, R-Kettering, (now speaker of the House), which offers substantial charter-school incentives, including removal of the Ohio Department of Education from the approval and oversight process and establishment of revolving loan fund for construction. May 2003: Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Patrick McGrath rules the legislature can decide educational policy. He rules against plaintiffs. September 2004: 10th District Court of Appeals reverses lower court on some of the constitutional issues. Nov. 29, 2005: Ohio Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in case.