Eva Moskowitz calls state budget deal “a historic moment in public education”

Eva Moskowitz, whose Success Academy schools received a big boost in today’s state budget, called the deal “a historic moment in public education.”

In a statement, Moskowitz praised Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Senator Dean Skelos, who co-leads the State Senate, which pushed for a package of bills aimed at giving charter schools access to facilities and increasing its per-pupil funding share. The Senate’s other co-leader, Democrat Jeff Klein, who is also a charter school supporter, wasn’t mentioned in the statement.

“This is a historic moment in public education. Governor Cuomo and Senator Skelos have championed parents and children by boldly moving to protect the future of charter schools,” Moskowitz said in the statement. “Coupled with universal pre-K, this legislation will provide unparalleled education options to New York’s families.”

Under the budget deal, three Success Academy charter schools whose co-location plans were nixed by Mayor Bill de Blasio will likely be allowed to open next year. The agreement requires Moskowitz to give her “consent” on de Blasio’s decision over the plans, which were previously approved under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Success Academy’s 22-school network, which seeks to eventually operate 100 schools in New York City, would also stand to benefit from a part of the deal that ensures new and expanding charter schools get help finding facilities. Part of the deal is that the city would have to provide space inside a city-owned building or pay the school extra to account for private facilities costs.