LEONARDTOWN - At its February 9 meeting, the St. Mary's Public School System seemed to raise its level of approval for the proposed Chesapeake Public Charter School (CPCS). Part of the increased approval was because they no longer had a building to consider. The school system found St. Georges Church very unsatisfactory as a school siteat its previous public consideration of the CPCS application. Without a building, the charter school will not be able to open this year. The other reason for increased approval may have come from an explanation by group member Kate Sullivan that the approval process is supposed to be a two stage process with phase I being approval for the application, and phase II being the negotiation and signature upon the actual charter for the new school.

One by one the public school departments noted that most of the unsatisfactory responses from the charter group either had been or could be worked out. For example, Linda Dudderar said she feels very comfortable with the replies to her concerns. “I am looking forward to Angela's (Funya, CPSC group member) showing how the VSC (Voluntary State Curriculum) will be integrated. I have suggested we visit a school in the Washington area that is using the VSC with this method. Once we agree on what is the curriculum, it would be logical to have benchmark assessments about the same time. The uniqueness of their program will come out in their instruction.”

. Board of Education members had their own concerns. Board member Bill Mattingly asked if the Board could approve the application without having worked out all the details. He was told approval is conditional on a mutually agreeable charter being developed. Mattingly said that last time he was concerned about the facility, the curriculum, and the dollars. Angela Funya suggested that the Capitol City Charter School is an example, and actually seeing it will make the Board more comfortable.

Mary Washington asked how the group will come up with additional funding they will need. Kate Sullivan, member of CPCS group, said they will have to raise only $10,000. “I have raised that much for my library,” she replied. After mentioning how she will utilize federal funding, Sullivan said that if the Board will approve the application, she can begin raising the necessary additional funds. She also indicated she will be working closely with Mr. Carney to ensure that her budget is realistic.

Board President Cathy Allen noted that just as you will draw students who are outside the St. Mary's Public Schools, so you will draw staff. “We can't be sure where your students will come from,” said Allen.

Dr. Edward Weiland, Interim Deputy Superintendent and head of the Human Resources Department, was concerned about the hiring of employees. The charter school proposed that its Board of Directors screen applicants for the Education Director and recommend a candidate for approval by Superintendent. Dr. Weiland insisted, “We are following the same procedure as any other school in the system . . .the same process as for any teacher, any administrator in the system. The Education Director will be interviewed like any other principal in the process.” He also mentioned the fact that retired St. Mary's Public School Teachers cannot be hired.

President Allen set the vote on the Charter School application for March 9. “If board members could have information about a week before . . .I'm not the fastest study,” she said.