Years ago, my city had a public meeting about an application to create a charter school. It quickly became apparent that the applicants simply wanted to start a business, and had hit on the charter school idea only because they expected to get guaranteed customers and free facilities. They wanted to take over some land and buildings use…
Years ago, my city had a public meeting about an application to create a charter school. It quickly became apparent that the applicants simply wanted to start a business, and had hit on the charter school idea only because they expected to get guaranteed customers and free facilities. They wanted to take over some land and buildings used for community gardens and a community shares farm, claiming their school would be agriculture based - in Massachusetts, where the school year and the growing season overlap only slightly. They also declared they would serve special needs students. I was teaching in a special needs school at that time, and by chance was sitting behind these applicants in the meeting room. They knew nothing at all about special needs kids. They figured they would get the approval, take the land and the money, and then figure out how to fulfill their promises. Fortunately, the school board saw through them and did not grant approval. I've had a soft spot in my heart ever since for the politician who showed up and articulated our concerns.
Years ago, my city had a public meeting about an application to create a charter school. It quickly became apparent that the applicants simply wanted to start a business, and had hit on the charter school idea only because they expected to get guaranteed customers and free facilities. They wanted to take over some land and buildings used for community gardens and a community shares farm, claiming their school would be agriculture based - in Massachusetts, where the school year and the growing season overlap only slightly. They also declared they would serve special needs students. I was teaching in a special needs school at that time, and by chance was sitting behind these applicants in the meeting room. They knew nothing at all about special needs kids. They figured they would get the approval, take the land and the money, and then figure out how to fulfill their promises. Fortunately, the school board saw through them and did not grant approval. I've had a soft spot in my heart ever since for the politician who showed up and articulated our concerns.