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A Massachusetts ballot question that would have lifted the state’s charter school cap was overwhelmingly defeated on Election Day. Sixty-two percent of voters rejected the proposal, known as Question 2.

The fight turned into a national battle between charter advocates and those who oppose them.

Hedge fund-backed Families for Excellent Schools and other charter proponents spent $26 million to convince voters to support the measure. A campaign called Save Our Public Schools, which was largely funded by local and national teachers unions, spent $12.5 million on the “Vote No” campaign, which warned that traditional public schools would lose $450 million in funding to charter schools if the cap were lifted.

“It’s really clear from the results of this election that people are interested in public education and value that,” said Barbara Madeloni, the president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. “There should be no conversation about expanding charters,” she added, unless the state Legislature acts to “fully fund our public schools.”

Compared with many other states, Massachusetts has strict limits on the number of charter schools that can open. Although the state has not hit its statewide cap of 120 charters, some areas — such as Boston — have reached separate, regional limits.

A “Yes” vote on Question 2 would have authorized the state to approve up to 12 new charter schools or expansions per year, adding significantly to the existing stock of 78 charters statewide.

Boston Globe, Nov. 8
Education Week, Oct. 26