How is a charter school funded?
A charter school receives funding from the school districts in which the students reside. The charter school receives the amount the district would spend on each student, minus the average per student expenditure for special education programs; nonpublic school programs; adult education programs; community/junior college programs; student transportation services; facilities acquisition, construction and improvement services; debt service and fund transfers; and federal programs from the school district or constituent districts for each resident student attending the charter public school. For special education students, the charter public school receives an additional per pupil amount based on the district’s special education expenditures divided by the state-determined percentage of students eligible for special education funding. Intermediate units also must provide special education services to charter schools at the same cost as services provided other schools, as requested. Funds
Charter schools receive per pupil funding through the local school district. This funding is a combination of both state and local education dollars. Out of this allotment, the charter school must pay all of its expenses. The only items supplied to a charter school are state-adopted textbooks. Fundraising is an ongoing element during the initial years. Langston Charter High School has applied for public charity status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, so that all donations will be tax deductible to the giver.
Charter schools receive 100% of the Per Pupil Revenues (PPR) or money designated by the state Legislature each year for operating expenses, capital reserve and risk insurance. The charter school authorizer may retain up to 5% of documented central administrative costs associated with oversight of the charter school. A charter school may choose to purchase services from their authorizer or a third party.
