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Board clashes over charter school
By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK, Times Staff Writer
BROOKSVILLE -- School Board members took their decision whether to approve Hernando County's first charter school to the wire Tuesday, forgoing the customary practice of announcing their votes at the workshop that preceded their evening meeting. Instead, board members remained conflicted -- and mostly noncommittal -- about the fate of Gulf Coast Academy of Science and Technology, a specialty middle school proposed by Powell Middle School teachers Joseph Gatti and Nevin Seifert. They fully supported the concept of charter schools, which do not have to follow all state education requirements, but commented that Gulf Coast Academy might not be the best debut. Their vote was scheduled to to occur later in the evening. Only board member Jim Malcolm offered unwavering support for the charter school. "There is a risk here. . . . I think it's a risk worth taking," Malcolm said toward the end of the workshop. "If we work with these folks as an organization, I think we can be successful." Others harbored concerns, though, about the school's proposed budget and services to be offered. Board member Robert Wiggins, for instance, said he would back the school only if Gatti and Seifert would agree contractually to enroll a minimum of 100 students before accepting any school district money. They agreed. Even that offer gave little comfort to Chairman John Druzbick, who worried about what might happen if the school opens with 100 students but then loses enrollment. The budget seemed tight with 100, he observed. "Take away 10 of those students, what are we going to have?" he wondered, noting that several line items, including projected utility payments, remained static over time. He skipped dinner to consult with Superintendent Wendy Tellone and her staff about the proposal. Tellone had recommended denial of the charter. Vice Chairwoman Sandra Nicholson had similar concerns about the budget, spending much time pounding away at the details that she suggested could cause financial difficulty if things don't go exactly as planned. A single bus accident easily could eat the school's reserve, she said. Board member Gail David, meanwhile, continued to hammer the applicants for their failure to include a full-time guidance counselor, special education teacher and support staff in their plans. She also complained that the school was marketed as an advanced academy, which does not apply to so many children in the district. "I'm looking at a lot of if's, and I'm not real comfortable with it," David said. Seifert tried to reassure the board, stating the spending actually was overstated in certain areas to provide padding. Gatti said the school had received word that its state grant revenue might increase if the state does not get many applicants for the money. He urged the board to take the risk, predicting success. "We don't have a commitment of 100 students at this time," he said. "But we will. And I think you know that." -- Jeffrey S. Solochek covers education in Hernando County and can be reached at 754-6115. Send e-mail to solochek@sptimes.com .
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From today's Hernando Times |
