Charter school group invites foes to poll Dem voters on 2

Democrats for Education Reform, the pro-charter school group that is challenging the powerful teachers union, says it will push forward with its own survey of Democratic voters on support for Question 2 after the union mocked the idea.

DFER sent a letter to the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the No on 2 campaign yesterday, challenging their claims that most Democrats are opposed to lifting the cap on charter schools, and proposing a joint effort to poll all registered Massachusetts party members.

Steve Crawford, spokesman for the No on 2 campaign, which the Massachusetts Teachers’ Association backs, laughed off the request for a joint poll, saying, “That’s silly. They’ll have to reveal who their donors are before we do that.”

DFER spokesman Matthew Wilder countered, “It’s not silly to put the facts out there and see where people are. That’s what we intend to do.”

If the union chooses not to participate, Wilder said, “We are considering doing our own poll to see where people are.”

The charter school cap debate has emerged as a divisive issue within the usually cohesive party, threatening a rare civil war among Democrats with the challenge to the usually unassailable union that has the money and foot soldiers to boost elected officials — or their rivals.

The state party supported a resolution last week against Question 2, which would allow up to 12 new charter schools each year.

DFER argued that the committee vote runs counter to what rank and file Democratic voters want. DFER cited a May poll that showed 44 percent of Democrats polled supported charter schools, while only 36 percent of those surveyed believed the union’s argument that they drain resources from traditional schools. The party spat is just one fight in one of the most contentious — and costly — ballot battles in the state, with both sides pouring in money to influence voters. The ballot question has pitted union allies who argue charters take money away from district schools against Wall Street-backed groups who claim charters offer more options and opportunity for inner-city kids.

Save Our Public Schools has pledged $12 million to fight the charter push, while the pro-charter group, run by Great Schools Massachusetts, has promised at least $18 million. Great Schools launched a $2.3 million ad campaign during the Olympic Games to sway voters at home. The No on 2 campaign is channelling its resources to create a good ground game. The campaign has knocked on doors or called at least 110,000 voters, Crawford said.