Pres. Aitkens
The SVUSD Trustees can approve or deny the charter application from Oxford Prep Academy at their meeting tonight (Tues). Ginny Aitkens has been SVUSD Board President during consideration of the charter school petitions, and yesterday she chatted with the Dispatch about some of the issues:
Founder Sue Roche: Aitkens is impressed with Roche’s success as principal at her school in Chino, but questions why Roche would want the complications of establishing a non-profit charter school instead of remaining in her current successful situation in Chino.
Multiple Intelligences: Aitkens isn’t concerned about using Multiple Intelligences as an educational method, but questions whether it would be primarily useful for advanced students at the expense of those with special needs.
Student Population: OPA submitted signatures from 120 families indicating intent to enroll if SVUSD approves a charter school, but Aitkens questions what the actual number would be, because OPA would primarily rely on parents withdrawing their children from schools where they may currently be adjusted and satisfied.
Risk: Aitkens points out the District would still have oversight responsibility over a charter school, so she wants to feel there is a ”high probablity of success.”
Facility: Aitkens says facilities are not a major concern, if the petition were approved, because it would not be incumbent on the District to provide O’Neill School for OPA, nor to provide any separate dedicated facility. The District could provide the number of rooms needed at a co-use location, she said, and there is also a possibility space would exist from closing another school.
District Cost: Aitkens says the diversion of state ADA (attendance) funds from other District schools to a charter school would be “financial hardship” to SVUSD, as well as the additional costs to create and equip a facility, fund programs, and reassign students.
Board Review: Aitkens says she intends to review the Superintendent’s report with an open mind, but notes the legal requirements and complicated analysis required for Charter applications makes it more suited for professionals.
Tonight will be the last meeting of Ms. Aitkens’ term as President. The Board will choose new officers for 2010.
The public meeting begins at 6:15 at the District Offices at 25631 Peter Hartmann Way in Mission Viejo.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
The information Ms Aitkens discusses does not touch on some of the important elements of the Charter. To date we have over 250 students with Intent to Enrolls and 189 of them are from SVUSD. We have many more coming in every day from all over Saddleback and Capo district. There is sincere interest from many families that want this opportunity for their children.
Please don’t make the children miss out on a great opportunity with a unique educational program that benefits all kids, not just the “ideal” student. Many of the points in the denial are just plain invalid.
The Accountant who reviewed the budget doesn’t even have any Charter school financial experience! Most of his points are invalid with regard to a Charter school of this type and size in our district. Sue Roche made it clear that the advantage of making her school a Charter was that it eliminates the budget constraints that exist in the school District, as well as it allows the freedom to implement changes in instruction/programs based on student needs.
Don’t make more students suffer because of budget cuts, and cause elimination of programs that you won’t be able to provide going forward. We at least deserve the chance to provide this for our children. I pose the question to every Board Member…’If this were your child’s school district and there was an opportunity for a unique educational program to be available wouldn’t you at least want that choice for your child?” We most certainly do.
“Board Review: Aitkens says she intends to review the Superintendent’s report with an open mind, but notes the legal requirements and complicated analysis required for Charter applications makes it more suited for professionals.”
This is Aitkens’ insight? She can’t understand, so the complexities of the “legal requirements and complicated analysis required for Charter applications makes it more suited for professionals?” And she is making judgments about school closures? Remember this at voting time.
Why then was she President of the SVUSD? Nice to know she is no longer president.
Fish is “saving us” $450K by closing good schools. Curiously, his salary is also $450K. Guess who could have been lost.
What a sick joke. Time for the Mission Viejo Unified School District.
I agree with Linda’s statements. This is an outstanding opportunity for students to experience an education integrated with many of the programs the public schools are faced with cutting to meet state budget requirements. It is also an opportunity for students of all levels to benefit from and find success. There are so many parents who are very excited to have this opportunity instead of a private school that the enrollment will be stronger then any one anticipates. If Gates has been an approved charter in our district for all these years and has not failed, why not give this one a chance also and show that SVUSD is a forward thinking district and not one who continues to battle any new ideas that are set forth. The parents in this area are very involved and will fight for anything they believe will strengthen their child’s education. This school deserves an opportunity for success.