By Rose Laudicina
Staff Writer
CHAPEL HILL – In order to further voice opposition to the Howard and Lillian Lee Scholars Charter School, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education voted last week to send a letter detailing why the board opposes the school to the N.C. State Board of Education.
However, with the charter school becoming an ever-closer reality, some board members questioned the effectiveness of a letter.
“I am OK with sending a letter,†Vice Chair Michelle Brownstein said at the board’s Jan. 19 meeting, “but I don’t think it will be effective or even considered.â€
Board member Jamezetta Bedford said she thought the letter would have no bearing on the state’s decision and that the approval of the charter school was already a done deal.
“We have sent many emails and letters that say we oppose the addition of having more charter schools,†Bedford said. “This is a political battle I don’t want to get into.â€
Superintendent Tom Forcella sent a letter to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction on Dec. 7 disputing claims made in the charter school’s application about overcrowding and a still-prevalent achievement gap in the school district.
However, the N.C. Public Charter School Advisory Council still voted to recommend the school’s application to the N.C. State Board of Education at its meetings on Feb. 1-2.
Board member Greg McElveen said that now is a good time to “reiterate our position on this operation,†since the state board is set to meet soon.
“This proposed letter has multiple objectives,†McElveen said, including “to give input on how this is going to impact the education of the children in this community.â€
The school board is worried the charter school will take both money and diversity away from the district.
Although the board is against the Lee charter school, McElveen, Barrett and Bedford said they aren’t explicitly against all charter schools.
Bedford said she felt it was unfortunate that those proposing the Lee charter school chose to partner with National Heritage Academies, a for-profit charter management group, and that if they had chosen to partner with the Knowledge is Power Program, she would support it, adding that she would even help them recruit students.
The board voted 5-2, with Bedford and Mike Kelley dissenting, to send a letter to the state board.
The board unanimously approved Kelley’s suggestion to include a video of the Raging Grannies, who performed a song opposing the school at the meeting, with the letter.
In other action last week, the board again addressed plans to alleviate overcrowding at Glenwood Elementary School.
A number of parents of Glenwood students came to the meeting to voice their opinion on what they felt the board should do.
Suggestions from parents and the Glenwood School Improvement Team included transitioning music and art to rolling carts to free up classrooms and asking for volunteers to redistrict to Rashkis Elementary School.
After a lengthy conversation, the board decided to postpone a decision to February, when staff can return to the board with information about moving Glenwood’s pre-kindergarten class to Rashkis.