PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A national pro-charter school organization has dumped nearly $4,000 into support of House of Representatives candidate Michael Bloomberg's campaign.

 

According to finance reports, Democrats for Education Reform spent $3,510.20 on direct mailers supporting the candidate and another $320 for the design. The design was done through Bartlett Interactive of Concord and the mailing was done by Novus Group in Boston. DFER is based out of Washington, D.C., and New York City and has spent a massive amount of money supporting candidates in Massachusetts.

 

The organization has been active in supporting the passage of Question 2, which would raise the cap on the number of charter schools.

 

Bloomberg said he responded to a questionnaire the organization sent out in May, in which he voiced support for "working to bring charter-like benefits to the local school districts through innovation and Horace Mann schools and through co-operation of currently existing Commonwealth charters."

 

The questionnaire specifically asked about the ballot question, which he responded by saying he did not support the expansion because "I believe the focus should be on reforming the current public school system with a one-system approach."

 

The question of raising the charter school cap is heading to the ballot. Both Bloomberg and Farley-Bouvier are seeking the Democratic nomination for the 3rd Berkshire House of Representatives seat. Farley-Bouvier, the incumbent, on Friday was critical of Bloomberg receiving what she calls "dark money" being infused into the electoral season. 

 

"This is coupled with the fact that Mr. Bloomberg's credibility is in serious question — that he would say one thing and then be supported at the same time by a group whose clear mission is a yes on No. 2. I think this calls into question his credibility in everything else he said in this campaign," Farley-Bouvier said on Friday. 

 

Farley-Bouvier rejects Bloomberg's claim that he had no input in the organization's decision to support him. She, too, was contacted by the organization but refused to go through the questionnaire process. 

 

"When this organization approached me, I knew about this dark money. I knew their history. I knew that their main mission was charter schools and lifting this cap, Question 2, and I did not participate in their endorsement process because of that. I know about the endorsement process. I know what the questionnaire looks like and I say no, I do not want any kind of that support in my campaign," Farley-Bouvier said.

 

"Mr. Bloomberg clearly participated in the endorsement process. They did not endorse him out of nowhere. They do not endorse candidates and support candidates who do not line up with their mission."

 

An additional concern for Farley-Bouvier is that the donors to the organization cannot be traced. DFER is funded out of New York by an organization called Education Reform Now. Federal law doesn't require the donors to that organization to be made public. 

 

"We do not know who is funding this organization Education Reform Now, DFER for Mass," Farley-Bouvier said. "DFER Mass is putting substantial money into other races."

 

Bloomberg has been consistent publicly that he opposed the question and on Friday reiterated that support while firing back at Farley-Bouvier's record. 

 

"I am and always have been opposed to raising the cap on charter schools, and therefore support a no vote on Question 2 this fall. Rep. Farley-Bouvier can not say the same for herself as she supported lifting the charter cap in 2014. Her insinuation that I am personally receiving money from the organization known as Democrats for Education Reform is a demonstration of her failure to understand campaign finance in Massachusetts. Independent expenditures are not made with any prior knowledge of the candidate, nor do I personally receive any of the money. It is simply an organization that has decided to send a piece of mail supporting me in the election," Bloomberg wrote in a statement.

 

"While I do not agree with DFER's position on raising the cap on charter schools, we do share the common concern that today's education system is leaving many school children behind, particularly those coming from low-income families, and children of color, and that the best path forward is not through small tweaks to the system and added funding to a broken system, but through meaningful education reform. I am thankful for their support in believing that I am the best candidate for educational advancement in Pittsfield."

 

Farley-Bouvier, too, has opposed raising the cap. Charter schools were intended to use public money on a school to try different ways to education children, which could then be incorporated into the traditional public school. 

 

"We have not seen that at all. We have seen public dollars being siphoned off into charter schools," Farley-Bouvier said. "I'm not saying every charter school is a bad thing. What I am saying is question 2 lifting the cap is a bad idea. Unless and until we can have changes in our charter school funding and accountability, it is not appropriate to lift this cap."

 

DFER has been putting a lot of money into races across Massachusetts.

 

The organization supports charter schools — specifically Horace Mann charter schools — as well as use of standardized testing, common core, and access to "high-quality affordable early education and care programs especially for at-risk children," according to its website. 

 

The Horace Mann model is one that Bloomberg has previously voiced support for because that form is under the jurisdiction of local school committees and does not go outside of teacher union contracts. He also said he supports standardized testing to some degree.

 

"I believe in the use of testing to gauge progress of students. But I don't think we are at the point to use it to measure our teacher's performance," Bloomberg said. 

 

Farley-Bouvier said DFER's "main mission" is to support raising the cap on charter schools and she doesn't believe the organization would support her competitor otherwise.

 

"He has made multiple statements that he is against lifting the charter school cap, a no vote on Question 2. This organization's main mission at this time is to lift the charter school cap and support candidates who agree with that position. I do not think both of these things can be true — that they are supporting him and he is against lifting the charter school cap," Farley-Bouvier said.

 

The primary election is less than a week away and the winner of the nomination will then take on independent Christopher Connell in the general election.