LEONARDTOWN - Despite previous reports from school system staff that most concerns could be worked out when its proposal is fleshed out, the Chesapeake Public Charter School’s proposal was denied by the Board of Education at its March 9 meeting. Including a rare proxy vote by absent Board of Education member Bill Mattingly, the Board of Education vote was unanimous in its opposition to the proposal. Mattingly left a message that he felt that approving this proposal would be approving use of public school funds for what is essentially a private school.

Chesapeake Public Charter School group spokesperson Kate Sullivan commented after the meeting that she had not heard any reasons given by the Board that would stand up to the scrutiny of the Maryland Board of Education. Another member noted that the group would have to go home and regroup. They would be deciding what to do in the future. Kathleen Glaser commented,”What is perplexing is why they don’t see it as a solution for school capacity.”

Student Board member Rickie Raley has no vote, but he stated his opinion. He said he represents 16,000 students who want education to be equitable for all. His concerns included such things as: Can we afford this? What would we have to cut? These students wouldn’t even be in our system. This could function as a public school voucher. A Federal Department of Education study finds charter school students underperforming regular students. He’s not crazy about a lottery for admission to the school. He doesn’t like the automatic admission of siblings. He said he has been taught, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” He doesn’t see that the school system is broken.. Why not use the money for such items as textbook funding or other needed items?

Board Vice President Dr. Sal Raspa said he is concerned that not site had been identified at this point. “You have to have a place to hold school, he told the Chesapeake Public Charter School group. He asked Director of Elementary Education Linda Dudderar about curriculum. Dudderar said she doesn’t have specificity. There is a design phase coming that should give specificity. She continued by saying that the over-arching picture gives an idea of what to expect. She hasn’t been able to visit the school in Washington that uses this program. She concluded by saying we know the what, we want to know how and that’s what the design phase should and must show us. Raspa noted that without a site there cannot be a financial plan. School system Chief Financial Officer Dan Carney agreed. He said he cannot comment on the viability of the plan. In ‘08, Carney noted, they will be doubling the size of the school and we will be opening a new school and need money to open the new school. The cost per pupil goes down in year two and that is not maintenance of effort unless they get a waiver. He has to look at this as an entirely new school and can’t see that it would support support staff and everyone would be a brand new employee. We would be looking at a financial squeeze, said Raspa. He contined by saying he wants insurance about the diverse student population. There is not a plan for how, he concluded.

Board member Mary Washington said charter schools are the law. In the beginning she was very excited about the school, she said. She looked at it from a number of perspectives. It requires employees as if it were a full size school, and that would be quite expensive. She talked about other expense the Board of Education must meet. The Board has state and federal mandates for students to pass the tests. There is an 11 month school year that we have to pay for, she said. She continued, “We have mandated all day K(indergarten). We have to fund the negotiated agreement. We are looking for a new superintendent and will have to pay that person. When Mr. Carney shows us the pie, it looks like a big pie, about after we pay the “turning on the lights cost,” there’s not much left. Mr. O’Neal (St. Mary’s Retired Public School Employees Association President Don O’Neal) is trying to get more money for retirees. We have rising fuel costs for over 150 buses. There are possible structural problems with our schools. How can we open another school when we have unmet needs in our existing schools? We have 76 mobile units. Our classrooms are at or exceed capacity. Without bring on a new school, we nave needs. The State says our school system is a school system in need of improvement. We have to watch that. She added that she has not heard support from members outside the charter school group in the community. She has not heard any outcry for a public charter school.

Speaking to the Chesapeake Public Charter School group, Board President Cathy Allen, said “This is very difficult for us and I’m sure it’s difficult for you as well. If any group of people can pull it off, we feel that you likely can.” She continued by saying that the idea that the charter school group doesn’t have a facility is a major stumbling block. She continued, “A conditional grant would come with a shelf life. It would expire after a time and perhaps before you could get up and running.” Allen said she believes the students who would access this school would be bright and engaged learners who would be in small classes. Something they would love to do for every student. To set up a school with 17 students in a classsroom is not fair to students who have 20 students in a class. She believes Chesapeake Public Charter School group has resources to make it happen without public school support. She noted that the Board had great discussions about this in pairs; “that’s how we have to do this”, she said. She thought perhaps the Board could offer a conditional approval, but as the list of conditions grew and grew she wondered what the Board may have missed on its list. She ended by saying she appreciated the professionalism that has been shown by the Chesapeake Public Charter School group. She thanked the staff for their work.