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

[ron_newman]

Pages 31-34 of the Somerville Progressive Charter School application list their supporters. Three of them say they live in other communities (Chelsea, Medford, and Cambridge) but most live in Somerville.

Which one lives in Lexington? They checked the 'No' box for the question asking whether they are applying to be a regional charter school, so I think enrollment in this one will be restricted to families living in Somerville.

[klauspood.livejournal.com]

no it is not restricted to Somerville, but will probably draw most from Somerville.

Medford is taking it seriously: http://www.wickedlocal.com/medford/topstories/x1626870826/Medford-School-Committee-opposes-new-Somerville-charter-school#axzz1funQHBl2

Jamilla Xible (sp?) a leading founder of the charter school group used to live in Somerville, but moved to Lexington. I guess she left the old address on the document which is a bit misleading, but an understandable mistake.

[littlecitynames.livejournal.com]

Not restricted to Somerville, but Somerville kids get priority in the lottery.