Calling charter schools a "fad" that takes money away from public schools, teachers union boss Paul Hubbert said he will fight Gov. Bob Riley's proposal to bring them to Alabama.
Riley told the Press-Register on Tuesday that he would like the Alabama Legislature to pass a law enabling the creation of charter schools. It's the only way, he said, that Alabama will be able to compete against other states for $4.35 billion in education funds that President Barack Obama is giving out as part of his Race to the Top campaign.
But Hubbert, who holds influence as executive secretary of the Alabama Education Association, said Thursday that he'll fight any charter proposal.
"I intend to oppose it strongly," Hubbert said. "I think it's wrong and I think it will hurt far more than help.
"It would absolutely take money from the public schools and put it in a charter school, which basically operates like a private school," Hubbert said.
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