Charter school receives go ahead - with strings attached

Not because they are convinced all legal guidelines have been met but in the spirit of giving parent developers a chance to succeed, the Sisters School Board approved the application with contingencies for the Sisters Charter Academy of Fine Arts during its regular meeting held on Monday, December 11.

The 3-1 vote provides project director Michele Williams and her team the ability to move forward in formulating plans for the district's arts-centered charter school which is scheduled to open in September 2007.

The five member board acted without the input of member Mike Gould who was out of town.

Before casting the evening's single dissenting vote, board chairman Rob Corrigan stated: "At this moment in time, I can't see that things are set up so the school will succeed. The central concern that I have is that the team is still kind of small, and you're pushing a very heavy object up a very steep hill with a few number of people, and I would love it if you could somehow tap into more experienced resources and broader resources …"

Mirroring Corrigan's thought pattern board member Jeff Smith said, "I obviously have some serious concerns about this group pushing this very heavy object up the hill, but I would like to give them the opportunity to try to do that. I think educational choice is a real plus."

Vice chairman Steve Rudinsky asked for quantifiable evidence that the school is viable. Things such as a road map that lists the core families involved in the start-up phase that is updated as children register to attend the school and letters of endorsement from parents, teachers and community members would indicate a level of community backing that Rudinsky deems necessary.

"I think it's a great thing for the district but only if it becomes complete," Rudinsky said. "There are some deficiencies that we need to work through."

"I am voting for the proposal even though I am skeptical," said director Glen Lasken. "I want to give you a chance to succeed, even though I doubt it. I really hope you can. If you can satisfy the concerns, then you have the right to make it happen."

The three board members who voted in favor of approving the application did so with the stipulation that a contract will be drawn between the Sisters School Board and the charter school's development team. The contract will insure certain provisions the board and/or school district deem necessary are accomplished by the charter school by mandated dates. Consequences for the charter school's failure to comply with the specified dates will also be outlined in the contract.

Board members based their decisions about the efficacy of the charter school's application upon eight guidelines the law requires them to consider.

They voiced numerous concerns.

Board members are uneasy about the level of community support that exists for the school and the potential negative impact the school could have on the district's academic rating and reputation. Additional concerns were expressed that enough time exists between now and September to develop a curriculum that meets all required guidelines and that the development team has no previous experience leading a charter school.

Board members are also uneasy that the school's location has not yet been established.

Superintendent Ted Thonstad said that with the board's approval of the charter school's application the second $25,000 in pre-approved grant money will be released to the development team. With this funding, developers can move forward.