FRANKLIN - The state's first charter school, the Franklin Career Academy, is still after the $3,400 per pupil in state aid money owed it by the city.

Last night, the Franklin school board voted to continue discussion of the funding issue to another meeting after consulting with the district's attorney behind closed doors for an hour. The board also asked the charter school to provide it with financial statements and reports, just as the city council did earlier this month. The board voted without discussion.

Bill Grimm, founder of the charter school, expressed disappointment at the board's decision.

"I'm sorry there is going to be a further delay," he said.

State law says the aid money, doled out to the school districts, is supposed to follow the student.

The process of transferring the state aid money started in December, when Grimm wrote a letter asking the school board for the Career Academy's share. He had said he was not planning on asking the city for any money this year because he hoped the state would fund the charter school completely. Grimm has said he wants this transfer of funds to be a one-time thing.

The school board forwarded the request to the city council. Two weeks ago, the council asked the board to work with the charter school to draw up a proposal outlining how much money is needed and when. A week later, Grimm sent another letter to the district, requesting $91,520 to be paid over the remainder of the year. Twenty-seven of the school's 35 pupils are from Franklin, according to Grimm.

But Franklin Superintendent Robert McKenney disagrees on how much money the charter school should receive. By his calculations, the district owes the Career Academy $80,720 for 24 full-time students. McKenney said his calculations take into account two students who came back to Franklin High School in September, as well as two students who entered the charter school in October.

According to state law, the aid money is supposed to be paid in four installments, starting in September and ending in April.

To date, Grimm figures the district owes the charter school $64,071. The letter suggests it pay the school $36,612 immediately and then contact a bank to borrow the rest, which would be paid in two sums of $27,459 by March 15 and April 1.

So far, the school has been operating on money former governor Craig Benson set aside to give charter schools an initial boost. The school also received federal startup money, which can't be used for day-to-day expenses.

"Money from the state (including state adequacy aid) is currently the only source of operational funding we have, and we need the funding immediately," the letter says.

The issue will likely end up before the city council again next month. As for the city's request, Grimm said he will provide the council with a financial statement detailing the charter school's funding sources, expenditures, bank balances and grants.

"This (the aid) is just so we can continue to run the school," Grimm said.

(Melanie Asmar can be reached at 528-2027 or by e-mail at masmar@cmonitor.com.)

By MELANIE ASMAR

Monitor staff