Schools

Waugh Joins Growing Number of Schools Considering Charter

Superintendent says moving to charter will restore instructional days and increase funding, allowing the district to hire more teachers and offer students more programs

 

Meadow and Corona Creek elementary schools are considering becoming charters, one of a growing number of local schools choosing to make the switch in light of unprecedented cuts to education.

The tiny Waugh District, with just 923 students and two schools, is one of the least funded in the area, receiving just $5,100 a year per student. That, together with the state withholding more than $1 million a year from Waugh because of the budget crisis, has led to a shortened school year and spending more than the district takes in.

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“We could cut teachers, we could cut instructional assistants, keep furlough days or we could go to charter,” said Superintendent Robert Cmelak.

The charter application still needs to be approved by the school board and then sent to the California Department of Education. But if the change does take place, Waugh would join an increasing number of Sonoma County schools switching to charter status as a way to boost their revenue streams.

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Currently, Old Adobe, Miwok, Sonoma Mountain, Liberty and Dunham Elementary are all local charter schools, switching in order to have more flexibility and access to fund. Cinnabar School District will also offer Cinnabar Middle Grades College Preparatory Academy.

The advantages of charter schools are many.

Traditional schools lose out money for every day a student has an unexcused absence, including when they go on vacation. But at a charter, the school can recoop the money even if a child is gone for just one day, if a parent notifies them ahead of time.

Another advtange of charters is that it’s easier to take in students from another district without needing the district’s permission, then receiving money for the student at the other district’s rate. (Think of it as schools getting out of state tuition.)

“It’s a way to increase your revenues and hold the programs that you truly believe in,” Cmelak said.

Waugh School District is one of the highest performing districts in Sonoma County, with an API score of 927. Both Meadow and Corona are California Distinguished schools, while Meadow is also a Blue Ribbon School, an award given for its high academic performance.

Most Waugh teachers support the switch, according to Cmelak, although parents are just now being notified about the plan (the district is sending a letter this Wednesday and will hold a parent meeting Friday evening.)

If and when the charter is approved, all students will remain in the district and no services or programs, such as special education, will be cut. If anything, moving to charter will bring the district at least $100,000 in additional revenue, enough money to hire a new teacher and start other enrichment programs, according to Cmelak.

Are you a parent with a child in the Waugh District? What's your opinion of the plan?


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