The Michigan Senate passed legislation Thursday that would eliminate the cap on university-authorized charter schools. The cap is currently at 150. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder called for expansion of charter schools earlier this year in his special message on education – although not a complete elimination of the cap.
Senate Bill 618, sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chair Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair), ultimately passed 20-18 with Republican Senators Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba), Bruce Caswell (R-Hillsdale), Goeff Hansen (R-Hart), Mike Kowall (R-White Lake Township), Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), and Tory Rocca (R-Sterling Heights) joining the Democrats in voting no.
While debate over the actual substance of SB 618 was relatively heated, including several attempts by Democrats to amend the legislation, it was the debate over one of the amendments that garnered the majority of attention during session. Senator Glenn Anderson (D-Westland) introduced an amendment that would require all districts to establish anti-bullying policies prohibiting bullying based on race, gender and other personal characteristics.
The amendment was similar to language in Senate Bill 137 introduced by Senator Rick Jones in February and, after heated debate, eventually failed on a party-line vote. SB 618 will now move to the House Education Committee for consideration.