Summit Academy OK'd as charter school

The State School Board has voted to accept Summit Academy's new charter under the State Charter School Board.

Summit, now in its second year, was originally chartered by Jordan School District. However, this spring the school applied for reauthorization under the state charter board.

In the new application Summit leaders reorganized the school's governance so that decisions would be made only by founders and appointed board members. But because of parental concerns coupled with recommendations from Jordan School District, the charter board required school leaders to allow for two elected members on Summit's governing board.

Currently state leaders are working with the school in establishing its new governing board.

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.