Proposed new charter school

[klauspood.livejournal.com]

There is a proposal for a new charter school in Somerville. The state (DESE) will be reviewing the application for the next few weeks and will possibly grant the charter on February 28th. If granted this charter school will undermine the existing Somerville Public Schools by reducing school funding by nearly $5 million a year, which is almost 10% of the current school budget. This cut in funding will lead to devastating cuts in public school programs, loss of 60 -75 teachers, and potentially closure of an entire school. This would represent a huge set back for public education in Somerville, setting back much of the progress that has been made in our schools in the last 25 years.

There will be a public hearing by the DESE on this on December 14 2011 at Somerville High School. More info can be found at:

https://sites.google.com/site/progresstogetherforsomerville

http://www.thesomervillenews.com/archives/21168

http://www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.aspx?id=6532

Comments

[klauspood.livejournal.com]

See my comments. Plenty of info and links there.

Proposed course of action:

check out the links. There is plenty of info there.

If you agree that this is a really bad thing, then attend the hearing and speak your mind, or write to the DESE, Alderman, Mayor, State Senator and Rep, expressing how you feel.

This whole issue just became public a few short weeks ago, and in a few more weeks the state will make a decision. Considering the huge amount of money involved, it is a disturbingly short period of time for the community to process its implications and voice their opinions.

[ron_newman]

I saw your comments. I now suggest that you edit some version of them into the original post -- including the date, time, and location of the public hearing.