Charter schools start with financial handicap

Congratulations to the Robert A. Mosbacher Sr. Odyssey Academy on the $14 million project to renovate the campus at 2412 61st St.

The academy got grants for technology improvements and issued bonds to finance construction. It’s a good example of a first-class institution helping itself.

That said, the state really should find a better way to help with buildings for charter schools. Charter schools, after all, still are public schools.

Like all charter schools, Odyssey gets state funding for each student it educates. But charter schools don’t get funding to cover capital costs.

Independent charter schools such as Odyssey and Ambassadors Preparatory Academy generally have to shave off part of the funds they get for operations to lease space or to retire debt for property they buy.

In Galveston, at least, it’s a stark inequity. The schools that are doing the best work academically, regardless of demographics, start with a financial handicap.

It’s something the Texas Legislature should take up when it convenes in January.