Ball State University authorized three new charter schoolsFriday that will open in fall 2005 in Gary, East Chicago andRichmond. Richmond Community Schools Superintendent Allen Bourff,however, has not been pleased with the process, Marty Dezelan,director of Ball State's Office of Charter Schools, said.
"Our process was criticized by the superintendent and presidentof the school board at the eleventh hour, and that process had beenpublished on our Web site since December of last year," Dezelansaid.
Dezelan said Bourff, the only superintendent to oppose theprocess, was frustrated because Citizens for School Choice -- agroup of local community members and parents who created theproposal for Galileo Charter School in Richmond--used a 2002county-wide report that emphasized the need for improvement inRichmond County's schools, especially in its low literacyrates.
"The research that (Bourff) spoke to was released in 2002, soit's two years old," Dezelan said. "I think that report is stillvalid ... This school has a literacy focus but has many componentsthat are intriguing beyond the literacy component."
Bourff could not be reached for comment on the issue.
Dezelan said 80 people attended Richmond's public meeting thismonth and 40 filled out response cards regarding the proposal. Ofthe 40, he said 35 were pleased with the charter review process,while some opposition came from Bourff, the school board presidentand his wife, and another teacher in the school district.
Dezelan said despite the concerns raised, the university hasreviewed the feedback and doesn't intend to make any major changesto the rigorous review process.
"We're very proud of our process and have been complimented onthe process across the state," he said.
Gora in a press release said Galileo and the two otherschools--the 21st Century Charter School at Gary and the EastChicago Urban Enterprise Academy--will implement educationalprograms that differ from those of traditional public schools andother public charter schools sponsored by Ball State, the onlyuniversity in Indiana to sponsor charter schools.
"This is in keeping with our two-pronged philosophy on publiccharter schools, which is to provide parents and students with apublic alternative to traditional schools and to see how thelessons learned in charter schools can be adapted and used to helpimprove teaching and learning in traditional school settings," Gorasaid in the release.
Dezelan said he believes each new school, including Richmond'sGalileo Charter School, will accomplish the goals required of themto operate.
"I'm pleased (Bourff) expressed publicly that he intends to workwith Citizens for School Choice and Galileo and fully expect thatthe relationship will strengthen over time," Dezelan said. "It'svery clear that the community of Richmond is interested in creatinga strong public education environment."
Galileo Charter School will serve grades K-3 and later addgrades 4-6. The school will emphasize literacy, characterdevelopment and self-esteem and will focus on a preventive ratherthan remedial curriculum.
The 21st Century Charter School at Gary will serve grades 6-9and will work to expand to grades K-12. It will offer a self-pacedcurriculum and will also incorporate 21st-century technology totrack student progress.
The East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy will serve grades K-4and will add a grade each year until it serves grades K-8. Theschool will provide a rigorous academic program and encouragefamily and community involvement.
Ball State University now sponsors 16 public charter schoolsthroughout Indiana with 10 currently in operation, five to open in2005 and one to open in 2006.
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