LOWELL — Gov. Charlie Baker stumped in the Highlands in support of the charter-school ballot question on Wednesday before opponents crashed the event, yelling “Shame on you, Governor Baker,” as he left.
Baker, the state’s top proponent of expanding charter schools, was scheduled to go door-to-door appealing to voters in Lowell Wednesday afternoon with parents and other supporters. However, he did not go door-to-door, leaving the event as a dozen “No on 2” activists showed up on Livingston Avenue.
A spokesperson for the “Yes on 2” campaign said that Baker did not have time to knock on doors after the speaking portion of the event — in which he and others addressed a group of parents and supporters at a volunteer house party — ran a bit late.
There were about 30 “Yes on 2” supporters at the event, held at the home of Mary Burns, a Lowell Republican activist.
“The only intervention in education that has closed the achievement gap between students of color and white students in Massachusetts is charter schools,” Baker said at the event.
“This is about lifting the cap in 10 communities, 10 in Massachusetts, and making sure the families and kids in those 10 communities have choices, options and a chance,” he added.
Initially, the event was supposed to be on Holyrood Avenue in Belvidere, but then the “Yes on 2” campaign acknowledged changing it to the Highlands after learning that dozens of “No on 2” activists would show up to the Belvidere location.
Kim Scott, a former Lowell School Committee member, said the “No on 2” activists eventually found the new location.
“That is a cowardly move (to change the location),” said Scott, holding a “No on 2” sign.
In response, Eileen O’Connor of “Yes on 2” said in a statement: “If the No on 2 campaign wants to resort to childish name-calling, they’re more than welcome. In the meantime, we’re going to keep on fighting for children, to make sure everyone has access to great schools.”
Baker has, with House Speaker Robert DeLeo, been one of few prominent Massachusetts politicians in support of Question 2, which would allow for up to 12 new or expanded charter schools each year across the state.
Baker has recently thrown his support behind the charter-school expansion effort, including appearing in ads. Opponents include the Lowell City Council and School Committee, the United Teachers of Lowell and statewide teachers unions.
Supporters of Question 2 say expanding access to charter schools will help students earn a better education, while opponents say more charter schools would drain public school budgets.
During the speaking portion of the event, South Lowell resident Tooch Van said he supported the charter-school question because he said it would benefit his son, Winston, 7, a second-grader at Greenhalge Elementary School.
“I’m here today because all public-school students deserve the chance to succeed, regardless of their income or their zip code. That’s why I’m voting Yes on 2,” Van said.
“My children and all children around the state deserve opportunities to get excellent education,” he added. “Their zip codes are holding them back.”
Rep. Dave Nangle, a Lowell Democrat, said he wants children to have the opportunity to go to a school of their choice.
“I’m a Democrat, and I’m proud to stand here with my Republican Governor Baker to take this stance,” Nangle said.
“In my opinion, the best gift that we can give to our children is a great quality education,” he added.
There are 78 charter schools in the state, and the cap is currently at 120. Baker said the cap should change now because there are 10 communities at the cap and cannot have another charter school.
“The vast majority of the other communities could have a charter school tomorrow under existing law. They don’t, and the reason they don’t is because the schools in those communities are doing well, and people are succeeding,” Baker said.
As he left the event, “No on 2” activists shouted “Shame on you, Governor Baker.”
Joshua Alba, 33, of Lawrence, said public schools need help and that’s where the focus should be.
“The biggest issue is accountability and transparency,” Alba said. “Charter schools are run by a board of trustees, not the School Committee of the district.”
Scott, the former Lowell School Committee member, also pointed to what she called the lack of governance at charter schools, adding that raising the cap would “not be fair to public-school children.”
Follow Rick Sobey on Twitter and Tout @rsobeyLSun.
