BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker took his high-profile support of Question 2 to the streets of a working-class Boston neighborhood Tuesday, canvassing Dorchester with parents and charter-school advocates to encourage residents to vote “yes” to expand charter schools on Nov. 8.
Question 2, which would allow up to 12 new charter schools annually in the commonwealth, has brought passionate arguments from both sides. While Question 2 opponents are concerned that more charter schools will take away money from existing public schools, charter-school proponents argue that increased school choice for parents and students is worth the cost.
Standing in a Dorchester backyard on Tuesday afternoon, Baker repeated his support, saying it’s “simple” from his perspective.
He said charter schools have been successfully functioning in Massachusetts for more than 20 years, and their success has been reliable for millions of students across the commonwealth.
“They’re not an experiment. They’re not a new idea. They’re not a demonstration. They’re a proven success,” he told about 20 canvassers. “They have been, in many cases, the single biggest thing that has closed the achievement gap between white students and Hispanic students and African American students here in the commonwealth.”
Baker acknowledged that the next two weeks for Question 2 will be vital, calling it a “nip-and-tuck contest.”
In the latest WBUR/MassInc poll, released Oct. 19, the ballot question was on the losing side, by a 52 percent of those polled against the issue and 41 percent in favor.
“It’s odd that it’s so complicated to make this happen,” Baker said.
“If public charter schools were a therapy, a medicine, that had the same success over the past 20 years that we’ve seen here in the commonwealth of Mass., no one would deny somebody that opportunity to that therapy because it’s proven,” he added.
Other members of Baker’s administration have been criticized for supporting for Question 2. Paul Sagan, chairman of the state’s Board of Education, donated $100,000 to the pro-charter expansion campaign, a statement of support that sparked complaints from opponents of the ballot question.
Baker defended Sagan’s right to donate, calling the issue a “nothingburger.”
Shane Dunn, coalitions director for the Great Schools Massachusetts campaign in support of Question 2, said the issue over the donation hasn’t affected their mission and didn’t follow Baker to the streets of Boston on Tuesday.
“I don’t think that is at all a part of this conversation,” Dunn said. “This is a big-policy priority for him to make sure all kids, as he said, have access to a quality education just like his children did, and many other children in the commonwealth do … That was why he was here today.”
Baker knocked on the doors of four homes, asking them to vote yes on Question 2. Most said they would.
One homeowner, 60-year-old Ingrid Beckles, said she’s undecided on the charter-school expansion and needs to do more research before she votes. Seeing Baker on her front porch, though exciting, did not sway her one way or another.
“For me, it’s more important to have equal opportunities for all kids,” Beckles said, voicing concern for any potential resources that could be drained from district public schools if Question 2 passes.
Beckles’ daughter, now 41, attended Boston Public Schools as a child, and Beckles said they made the right decision about her education. However, when her daughter chose a school for her 14-year-old son, she chose outside of the public-school system.
Sherma Grant-Woods, a 48-year-old salon owner hosted and organized Tuesday’s canvassing, and said having Baker in the neighborhood was a great way to show the community that the ballot initiative is supported by state leaders.
“I’m really happy that he took the time to do this because it just showed me how involved he is in all the different communities, not just certain areas,” she said. “For him to come to my neighborhood was a big deal for me.”
Grant-Woods has two daughters, ages 16 and 13. One attends Codman Academy Charter School, and the other goes to Roxbury Preparatory Charter School. Since sending her girls to the schools, she said she’s noticed a difference in their excitement for learning.
“I just want to support other parents, so other kids can get the great education that my kids are getting,” she said, “because I know the difference.”
