There’s more to say on district operated charter schools.
Before the district engages in creating its own charters, staff must take a serious look at the operational structures of those charters that are successful.
Schools such as KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) or even local Charter Schools of Excellence.
Charter middles and high schools focusing on STEM (Science, Techonology, Engineering and Math) would be a natural.
It appears that the board is leaning in this direction with a 6 – 12 school.
Charter school buildings must be leased from the district, or built from scratch (not likely.)
The district must not provide transportation to charter school students unless the school reimburses the district at the same expensive rate.
The Board seems to be thinking that it can serve as the school’s Governing board.
Wrong.
Sunshine rules will make meetings inconvenient and cumbersome.
Instead, the Governing board should be made up mostly of volunteers from the local business community.
The district must be prepared to offer a better product at a similar or better price.
When I said that union rules need to go out the window, actually, BTU’s CSP (Charter School Professional) contract, article seven makes sense.
As opposed to the convoluted discipline and dismissal procedure required by the teacher contract, the CSP contract makes much more sense with a written reprimand followed by suspension and then termination.
District charters must be independent and in competition with other charters, otherwise what’s the point?
Jun 29, 2012 @ 15:30:50
“Instead, the Governing board should be made up mostly of volunteers from the local business community”
The governing boards should represent a cross-section of the community — there’s little evidence that a businessman who knows how to run, say, a road paving company will be a competent board member of a charter school.
Jun 29, 2012 @ 15:57:54
In a manner of speaking, I agree. But successful business people are more in the know about bottom lines and profits. A cross section is still desirable, but the governing board should be able to keep finances in order.