Comments on: SVUSD President Chats About OPA Charter

By: Kandi Brennan

Kandi Brennan — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:01:47 +0000

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.

By: Mike Westerland

Mike Westerland — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:44:02 +0000

“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.

By: Linda DeFonce

Linda DeFonce — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:20:22 +0000

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.