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Sources: State Lawmakers Reach Deal With Demands On City For Charter Schools

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The battle between Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo over charter schools has led to a tentative deal on a reform package from state lawmakers, sources told CBS 2 News.

The deal would make certain demands of New York City government.

If a charter school is looking for space, the city would have five months to find a suitable building, or pay for a private space. The city would also pay the first $40 million to cover rent for charter school buildings.

The plan also increases per-student funding to over $1,100 over three years.

Cuomo was front and center when charter school operators took their fight with Mayor de Blasio to Albany. Last week, sources said he was trying to get the mayor to end the dispute – or else the state would do it.

Sources told CBS 2 the governor wanted the mayor to settle three lawsuits brought by charter operator Eva Moskowitz, find space for Moskowitz's three Success Academy charter schools de Blasio nixed, and restore $210 million in charter funding.

If the mayor did not act, sources said, Cuomo and the Senate would use the state budget to protect charter schools – finding them both space and money.

The mayor agreed before that to find space for one of the Harlem Success Academy charter schools that enrolls nearly 200 students. He has defended his decision to deny the space to the others.

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