On the recordSeptember 13, 2011
We're all concerned about the safety of our students and all of our schools. Ensuring our students are in a safe environment is a critical part of the duties of our teachers, principals, administrators, school authorities. But whether the students attend charter schools or traditional public schools, all of our students and parents need to know that schools are providing a safe environment for them. That's why this issue is best considered when we look at the full Elementary and Secondary Education Act later this fall, the law that governs all public schools. This motion would single out charter schools from the rest of the public schools, something we've worked very hard and in a bipartisan way to avoid. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to vote against this motion, reject this motion to recommit, and support the underlying bill. I yield back the balance of my time.
