Elementary charter school proposal meets opposition

Students in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools could have more education options if an elementary charter school application for the area is approved.

But while some say the school would offer students more attention and alleviate overcrowding, critics say it will siphon funds from public schools and isn’t needed.

Chapel Hill resident Angela Lee helped submit an application Nov. 10 for the Howard and Lillian Lee Scholars Charter School.

She said charter schools, which use public funds but aren’t subject to the same regulations as public schools, better track student growth to solve achievement gaps and overcrowding.

“Students are getting the same rigor, which is constant and consistent. There will be no leveling off like in public schools,” she said. “Our standards will be high and our curriculum rigorous. We want a school that speaks to the diversity and globalization in our community.”

Lee said the end goal is to have charters from kindergarten through 12th grade, though this school will focus on elementary.

But critics like Kevin Hicks, a professed public schools advocate, said public schools can deal with overcrowding and achievement gaps more efficiently.

“With the building of public Elementary School 11 in Northside … a charter school is not needed to alleviate overcrowding,” he said.

On Nov. 14, Hicks and an NAACP panel met with new Superintendent Thomas Forcella to identify issues the school board should address within three years, he said.

“The superintendent has a philosophy that he is following, and we want to give that an opportunity to work,” he said.

Charter schools could also take away money from the overall public school system, said Stephanie Knott, spokeswoman for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.

“Charter schools receive a portion of funding that would go to schools that already exist,” Knott said. “They are essentially siphoning funds that already go to public schools.”

Hicks said a lack of public transportation could limit access to charter schools.

“Only certain students will get to that school. That’s really skimming off the top,” Hicks said.

If a review committee sends the application to the North Carolina Charter School Advisory Council on Dec. 14, supporters and opponents of the school should learn its fate early in 2012, said Dottie Heath, consultant for the State Office of Charter Schools.

The council has received 27 applications this year compared to six last year, Heath said.

The applications were submitted to the “fast track” program. Program applicants must prove they can successfully open a charter school by August 2012.

The removal of a cap limiting the number of charter schools there can be in the state led to the increase, Heath said.

Despite the competition, applicants said they are hopeful.

“We are very optimistic, but we just submitted it,” Lee said.

Contact the City Editor at city@dailytarheel.com.