There are at least now two bills on the charter schools idea — The Senate’s SB 1327 and the House’s HB 2866. But the may be just “placeholders” while the debate ensues. The sponsor of the Senate bill, Thomas Norment (R-James City) says of his bill, “I haven’t even read it, yet.
Del. Mitch Van Yahres (D-Charlottesville) wants to address the ratio of in-state to out-of-state students.
[Van Yahres] said UVa, Virginia Tech and William & Mary probably will be required to cap out-of-state enrollments at 30 percent to 33 percent of their student bodies. “Those three schools have the advantage of bringing in out-of-state students who are profitable,” Van Yahres said. “Out-of-state students are paying 120 percent of the cost of their educations. That’s a 20 percent markup, which is great” for the schools that attract them in large numbers.
The Hampton Roads Daily Press’ editorial page generally likes the idea and opened its op-ed pages to both pro and con opinions.