Complications continue for Ball State University's charter school programs in Fort Wayne.
Imagine Bridge Academy, the third charter school in the Imagine School System, has been approved to open next fall, but a location hasn't been approved.
John Jacobson, dean of Teachers College, which oversees the university's Office of Charter Schools, said the initial location for the elementary school was approved by university officials, but Jan. 22 the school system sent a letter to Ball State to amend the location. It wanted to locate the most recent charter school on Pontiac Street on the southeast side of Fort Wayne.
This location is near two different Four-Star schools, and Ball State officials said they didn't think the area was appropriate for a charter school.
A letter from Larry Gabbert, director of the Ball State Charter Schools, said "The proposed new location for the school is in a part of Fort Wayne that is a considerable distance from the original site and serves a neighborhood other than that specified in the approved contract."
Guy Platter, regional director of Imagine Schools, said locations were roughly proposed during the application process. At first, the school system was looking into an area on the northeast side of town near IPFW, but nothing progressed.
He said the other two charter schools in Fort Wayne are on the northeast side, and they already pull students from the southeast side of town.
"I think it was an ironic decision Dean Jacobson made," he said. "There is more need on the southeast side."
He said he thinks Ball State's Charter Office is misdirected in thinking the Four-Star schools will serve the students' needs on the southeast side of Fort Wayne.
"I disagree with [Jacobson's] assessment," he said.
According to the Indiana Department of Education Web site, charter schools are established to serve the different learning styles and needs of public school students. Sponsor institutions are designated by state law and are responsible for school oversight and ensuring the charter school complies with state and federal laws and terms of the charter, according to the Indiana Department of Education.
Platter said Imagine charter schools serve students from low income families who would be better served outside of the mainstream school system.
He said there are about 30,000 students in Fort Wayne school systems, and only 1,200 attend the three charter schools in town.
Students have to apply to get into Four Star schools, called Manga schools, and there's a waiting list. Platter said he thinks that is an indication of need in the community.
Platter said in a press release that the school system is looking at possible locations, and it plans to resubmit an application to Ball State.
Jacobson said Imagine Bridge Academy has until April 1 to find a suitable location. Students have not been affected by this decision because enrollment hasn't started yet, he said.
"Don Willis [board president for Imagine Bridge Academy] is very aggressive in wanting to establish charter schools in Fort Wayne," Jacobson said. "It's a lengthy process."
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