Bill Gates backs school referendum

SEATTLE – Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates is giving $300,000 to the charter school proponents’ campaign on Referendum 55, supporters said Thursday.

Referendum 55, on the Nov. 2 general election ballot, asks voters to decide whether Washington should have charter schools, as the Legislature recently authorized.

Accountable charter public schools would increase student achievement and ease the state dropout rate, Gates said in a statement released by the charter supporters group, Approve 55 Improve Our Public Schools.

“Approving R-55 will give Washington state parents and teachers an important tool to help improve our public schools and help students who are falling through the cracks,” he said.

His contribution “demonstrates the broad support of R-55 among business and community leaders,” said Steve Mullin, president of the Washington Roundtable business group.

Charter school opponents saw it differently.

“The broad support of the community in my view was the 155,000 signatures we got from parents, teachers and concerned citizens around the state to get R-55 on the ballot,” said Catherine Ahl, co-chairwoman of the opposition group Reject R-55 Protect Our Public Schools.

Forty states have approved charter schools, which operate under a contract or “charter” with state officials or local school boards. They are exempted from many of the rules and restrictions that apply to other public schools.

Washington voters have twice rejected charter school initiatives, in 1996 and in 2000.

The legislation would allow 45 new charter schools over the next six years. In addition, it would allow local school districts to convert public schools into charter schools – or in cases of failing schools, enable the state schools superintendent to force such conversions.

The law was to take effect in June. It was put on hold when opponents collected enough voter signatures to put the measure on the ballot.