From Deseret News archives:
Charter parents say they're left out
They say Draper school leaders betray ideals
Charter schools are free public schools and many are established and run by parents. The draw to charter schools for many families is that they are crafted for high parental involvement.
But under new reauthorization Summit Academy, a K-6 school chartered through Jordan School District, would be run by founders and appointed members instead of the former board elected by parents. This will be the school's second year in operation.
"We feel like we've been duped," said Mark Reese, a Summit parent. "We were told there would be lots of parental involvement, lots of teacher input and the founders would be more of an advisory . . . but the rug has been pulled out from under us, and to me it's bait and switch."
Last spring district leaders started getting complaints from parents about the school's operation, which spurred a district investigation and financial audit.
Among the complaints were that school leaders unlawfully dissolved Summit's elected school board, which meant founding members were exclusively running the show.
The financial check came back clean but Jordan found the school was out of compliance with their charter or state or federal law on 12 other issues the big ones being governance, open meetings laws and communication.
"Most of the compliance issues were procedural, it's a new school, compliance issues are expected and can easily be worked through," said Janine Bowen, Jordan's charter school specialist. "Summit Academy is a good school, the parents are very pleased with what their children are receiving in terms of their education the key issues are trust and communication."
The report was released early last week. Under Jordan's recommendation the school would have until the end of the school year to be in full compliance including reinstating the elected governing board called for in their charter, posting and holding monthly meetings, improving communication and keeping adequate records or their charter would be revoked.
Comments
- NASA sets Monday shuttle launch 11:53 a.m.
- WVC robberies investigated 11:41 a.m.
- Funeral today for Utah soldier 11:16 a.m.
- Vaccination clinic set in St. George 11:15 a.m.
- $47B in suspect Medicare claims 11:11 a.m.
- 3 dead in Reno helicopter crash 11:02 a.m.
- Galaxy headed to MLS Cup 10:45 a.m.
- Veteran climber dies in Himalayas 10:36 a.m.
- Slovakia beats U.S. 1-0 10:30 a.m.
- Suicide attack kills 11 in Pakistan 10:28 a.m.
- Attack meant to kill apostle
- Williams leaves, won't play tonight
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- Man killed during 3rd I-15 crash
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- D-Will home for daughter
- Trial begins in toddler death
- Born of water and the spirit
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
349 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
199 - Senators want food tax restored
162 - Will state consider gay rights law?
145 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
113 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
105 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
103
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
The reason that won't be the case is because, unlike your teams line, our...
This freedom of speech issue is enough to make me want to remain as a private...
What is everyone talking about? Good luck next game? I could have sworn I...
yeah, TV might be rude. but springville isn't smart for trying to compare...
Thanks, Robinson, for a laugh-out-loud funny article which makes a point then...
WAC 1-0 vs the MWC this year, next week will be 2-0 for the WAC when Utah...
"Three Rivers" is an excellent program. I hope everyone will tune in!
A real man! What a pro that Mathis is! He's great! I thought Matthews played...
I wouldn't call Brown "big". Tall, maybe, but he's maybe the skinniest high...
Tobacco prevention saves lives and money.

You can be the first to comment on this story.