The End Game for Pyramid Schemers

   We've taken a look in a previous article at how State Question 801 - the state question, if affirmed by voters, would allow traditional public schools to use Building Fund monies to pay teacher salaries and other operational costs - may be a starter bill for allowing charter schools to acquire local ad valorem revenue. As the Gold Dust Twins, Petrilli and Northern (two out-of-state charter school advocates), lament in "... charter school deserts" - Oklahoma can enact legislation that makes charter funding more equitable. An understanding of the GD Twin's statement doesn't imply that that SQ 801 or SJR 70 (Bice's bill), if enacted, would allow charter schools to access local building fund monies. Presently, no charter schools, virtual or otherwise, has access to local ad valorem (property tax) revenue. Charter schools only receive state funds, in the form of state aid, which primarily originate from sales and income taxation. Local Building Fund monies is the revenue referred to by the GD (gold digger) Twins when "virtually" saying that "charter school funding is not fair".
   Many charter schools have no buildings or classrooms because their teachers and students work virtually, from home or other private/public facility. As a consequence of having no buildings, they are provided no Building Fund revenue for upkeep and maintenance. They have no use for Building Funds - unless Building Fund monies are made operational!
   The 'end-game' for virtual charter school advocates is for legislation that provides more local money to charter schools - by allowing them access to ad valorem revenue. Virtual charter schools and others must have state lawmakers and elected officials on board for fronting such legislation, and know that "money talks" when convincing targeted lawmakers that "everyone wins" in such a scenario.
   State Question 801 is not the bill which will provide Building Fund revenue to charter schools, but if Building funds are made operational, look for poor traditional schools and charter schools to clamor for a piece of the pie. The follow-up bill to SJR 70 and SQ 801 will be to merge the local Building Fund with the state General Fund, so that charter schools may access local ad valorem dollars. Once Building Fund monies are made a part of state aid, virtual charters and others will reap a bonanza. It's the end-game...