Nine charter schools in Baltimore City have received thousands of dollars in grants to renovate their buildings, Mayor Sheila Dixon announced Tuesday.
Charter schools, which are run independently of the school system but funded with public money, have grown popular throughout the country, and Baltimore City has more than any other district in Maryland. Many view the schools as a way to increase community involvement and improve poorly performing urban school districts.
The Montessori Public Charter School will receive the largest grant: $110,000 for a major roof replacement. The Empowerment Academy will receive $101,000 to build a new playground and upgrade the electrical system. With the upgrade, the school will be able to install air-conditioning units.
“Our children deserve to have everything they need to achieve academic success, even in the toughest economic times,” the mayor said in a statement. “Charter schools give parents and teachers greater control over important program offerings, student support and class size.”
– Mike Silvestri
