Clayton Pioneer
It’s approved! Following months of legal wrangling, a PR war from both sides, and at least a small forest worth of paper, at a meeting packed with over 400 people, the Contra Costa County Board of Education overturned the MDUSD’s denial, and unanimously approved the Clayton Valley High School charter petition.
Cynthia Ruehlig, President of the Contra Costa County Board of Education, described her logic in voting for the petition as simply following the law. “It’s like innocent until proven guilty,” she said. “It’s approved until you can say why it will not succeed. That’s part of the educational system here in California.”
The school is expected to open as a charter for the fall 2012 semester, making it one of only two charter schools in the district, and one of three conversion charters in the entire Bay Area.
Sherry Whitmarsh, who recently replaced Gary Eberhart as president of the MDUSD Board of Education was pragmatic. “It is what it is,” she commented immediately after the vote. “Hopefully the charter will work with the district so that the other students in the district will be held harmless.” According to charter steering committee member David Shuey, that’s their intention.
“We want to reach out and heal the wounds,” he said at a recent Clayton City Council meeting, suggesting the charter may form a committee that would meet with the school board and city representatives a couple of times a year to iron out issues. “We want to take the high road.”
Questions still remain as to the amount of money some claim the charter will siphon from the rest of the district. The estimates range from $1.7 million to over $4 million. At the county meeting, however, Superintendent Steven Lawrence said that the financial impact of the charter is as yet undetermined. “We believe at the end of the day, at the end of the first year we will know all of the funding impact of the charter,” he said. Now that the hurdle of approval has been overcome, charter organizers have a long to-do list before opening as a charter in fall 2012. The twelve conditions set by the county in its approval include a summer transition program including specific targeted instruction for English learners, a revised student expulsion policy and proof of the charter’s $2 million line of credit.
Charter school organizer Neil McChesney remained unfazed. “There’s a ton of work to do,” he said. “We realize the scope of work is massive, but there are so many people jumping on board and ready to lend a hand, it’s amazing. I have no fear that we won’t accomplish all of our tasks and do a better job than ever before.”
In addition to county requirements, the task of finding an executive director to guide the school looms large. The nationwide search process has already begun with the job description posted on various job boards. According to McChesney, within 48 hours of posting, the committee tasked with finding the executive director was already receiving resumes.
“We’re looking for a dynamic individual who’s got experience. A people person, a good communicator and a leader,” said McChesney. ”Someone who people will want to follow... and someone who inspires other people to lead, as well.”
Meanwhile, Clayton Mayor Howard Geller is ecstatic over what the future holds for the community overall.
“With the support of such a strong alumni and community, the transformation of CVHS has begun,” he said. “I have 100 percent confidence in the charter school’s board, and can’t wait for the ribbon cutting of our new charter school.”
