Charter Schools, Privatization, and Show Me the Money

For today's lesson, let's discuss charter school, which are public schools, that attempt to function as private schools. For an example, let's use the favorite and only topic of this forum...VAPAC.

But first, lets answer some questions:

• How do you classify a school that makes students apply for admission, denies students admission for grades and/or behavior, creates policy without input, and operates outside of any district oversight?

PUBLIC or PRIVATE (Choose one)

• Now, how do you classify a school that received over $500,000 in start up costs from a deficit ridden district, that makes students apply for admission, that routinely denies students admission, that creates discriminatory policy without input from the public, and that operates with little or no district oversight?

PUBLIC or PRIVATE (Choose one)

ANSWER: Public (In fact, VAPAC in both instances)

Yes, the sad fact of the matter is that VAPAC, run with public funds, staffed with district employees, and created as a public entity operates suspiciously like a private school (albeit a very poorly run private school according to reports). In fact, with the mass exodus of students, faculty, and staff, and the school in it death throes -- the district is overrun with complaints about the director and her thirst for absolute control over the school, the administration refuses to correspond with the district about these matters, and word on the street is that the administration is leaving the district with no option but to pull the school's charter -- could privatization for VAPAC be next?

Clearly, the situation looks dire for the school. And as far as the administration is concerned, the only way that they can maintain the dictatorial grip on power that they crave is to go it alone. That the district, bleeding money and facing a slew of lawsuits over the director's actions, would allow this rogue school to continue would be an abdication of their responsibility to the educational futures of the 300+ students currently enrolled. Aware of the situation since early in the school's first year, the district has been reluctant to make a move or address the many grievances against the administration. This reluctance could prove costly.

What needs to be addressed is the $500,000 that the district "loaned" VAPAC to get started. If they go private, how does the district recoup this money? Or, better yet, can they? For a cash strapped district thinking of scrapping bus service to save $240,000, the investment in this school is a significant sum. Additionally keeping the administrators at this site when the district is legally culpable for their actions seems fiscally irresponsible. Not to mention the cost of the charter, in terms of ADA and other expenses, to begin with.

Additionally, another concern that needs to be addressed is the welfare of the students on this campus. No hall monitors. No library. No computer lab. No discipline whatsoever. Of the students who have already left, most cite a lack of any coherent structure. The parents note a general reluctance on the part of the administration to address concerns as to student welfare and safety. Many have also commented on the Directors apparent favoritism when it comes to student behaviors and parental concern. Teachers also report that the Director seems to discriminate between whom she punishes and whom she lets off. Chaos is in the air and everybody feels it.

But the greatest problem to be solved: What will happen to these kids? If the school folds, what allowances will be made to place these students into appropriate programs outside of open enrollment? Additionally, if the school is in dire condition, when will students and parents be made aware of the situation so that they may choose another educational environment for their child? When is it too late?