If you haven't signed the charter schools initiative, a quick trip to a nearby store or library can help you make up for that omission. Signature gatherers for Initiative 1240 are out and about.

Enough of you have already added your John Hancocks to the charter schools initiative to spur reports that the campaign is close to having the 241,153 valid signatures needed by Friday's deadline. (Pay homage to the signer of the Declaration of Independence whose signature stands out centuries later because of its size and legibility by signing your name clearly.)

Charter opponents argue that these public schools with take away funding from traditional public schools. But the mechanics of per-pupil funding means funding is taken away from schools anytime students drop out or leave the system for private or parochial schools.

Even conservative budget estimates on education call for extra funding - anywhere from $900 million to $2 billion in the next couple of budget cycles. There's room in the budget if we're really serious about moving past politics and building educational systems that work for all kids, and not just a special few. One size never did fit all.