Op-Ed: Dunwoody Mom on High School Charter Cluster

by Erika Harris

Currently a group led through Dunwoody Parents Concerned About Quality Education is pursuing a high school charter cluster. While I am not for or against a cluster at this point in time, I am concerned over the discovery process to date.

Below is why. Please hang in there. I know it is longer (when am I ever not verbose?) but the information is critical to understanding an inclusive, transparent, and comprehensive approach in the journey that is pursuing the possibility of a charter cluster.

First the formals:

1) The letter of intent was due to the Dekalb BOE by February 4th, 2013 for a cluster opening of 2014/2015.

2) If you bypass the district, the state letter of intent deadline is May 1st, 2013 for a cluster. Approval through the state without local district approval greatly changes funding for a charter. However, the state requires that you first submit your application through your local school district before filing for state charter approval.  

In lay mans terms, we missed the boat.  We HAVE to file through the district first.  I've confirmed this information with both the county and the state.  I've also confirmed that if we submit a LOI late to Dekalb, (which has to be filed and accepted for them to consider our petition, period) they will simply let us know that we have missed the filing date for the 2014-2015 start up date and to resubmit for the 2015-2016 dates.  I don't necessarily see this as a bad thing, having to wait a year.  Hang on to learn more on that.

Lets assume we are filing that letter of intent though and no deadline exists for a moment...

PRIOR to a letter of intent being submitted, the following steps are necessary:

a) Establish a need for a cluster and possible solutions for whole system (example: whole system adopts STEM system, IB system, college preparatory, etc...)

b) Create a founding board made to represent the entire cluster. Hold public meetings to find said members and solicit feedback.

c) Recruit individuals to work on committees for the cluster.

d) Members should reflect the community and skills needed to run the cluster. (Parents, Teachers, and Administration)

e) Draft a vision and mission statement agreed upon by the entire founding board.

f) Create a comprehensive application timeline.

g) Work on a business plan and strategic plan.

h) Develop clear roles and responsibilities.

i) Attend local and state trainings on charter schools.

j) Meet with your local school district to explain why a charter cluster is needed and provide evidence that your model could be the answer to this need. 

After completing the above, you then file your letter of intent which must include: Proposed vision and mission of the school and details on what the goals and purpose of the charter cluster will be and how said goals will be achieved. It also should include detailed school information (for schools included in the cluster) and be signed off by each presenting school.

Okay... Those are the nitty gritty details.  Now, someone will probably argue you don't have to do all those things (referring to a-j), but here is the kicker - they are requested because what they do is set your charter system and schools up for success. Could you get approved with less, my guess is yes.  But, the above seem to be key points that will ensure the following: inclusiveness, transparency, and thoroughness.  Why is that a bad thing when you are discussing one of the biggest line items in our tax bills, something that greatly impacts property value, and most importantly - impacts our children's educational careers and future?  This is exactly where I want to take my time and do it in the most complete and thoughtful way possible.

And so this brings me to my point of missing the boat on the filing deadline. One word for me comes to mind. Halleluja.  

Why?  Simple. It allows us more time to consider this HUGE and IMPORTANT decision with thoughtfulness and care. With involvement from the whole community and time to truly assess needs and opportunities. Because as of now, mini-fires have been lit all over the place, people signing LOI's, closed door conversations happening.  

But what hasn't been happening? Whole school conversations. Conversations with teachers and administrators. Conversations between schools. If we are going to do this and explore this potential, we need the meeting of the minds before we jump on the bandwagon.  

Some will say well it is just a non-binding LOI. It is more than that. It makes a statement. And let us not be naive about the peer pressure and anger that would happen if one school decided to "back-out" because they were not aware or clear about what they may have been getting into. This will be an expensive and time consuming process once the LOI is filed. (Hiring consultants, work groups up the wazzoo.) And before we do that, we should know what we are signing up for before spending thousands and thousands of dollars and countless hours.  

My mom always warned me about opportunity versus temptation. She would say, "Be careful, Erika. Sometimes those two are difficult to discriminate between." And as I have watched this cluster business unfold, I am concerned that through not doing our due diligence in this process, we are falling onto the side of temptation with the hopes of a quick fix and a partial escape from Dekalb and moving a step closer to local control.  

I would like to explore this opportunity. I rarely say no to an opportunity to see how we could improve what we have as it relates to education. But to this, right now, I say no because of how the process has unfolded so far.

Once we find a way to bring our community together and discuss this opportunity as a community of parents, educators, administrators, and learners - to understand each others needs and goals. Once we can open our doors to the public in a transparent way to truly understand this process... Once we create a group that represents all parties involved. Once we have a comprehensive plan that will help guide us on this journey. Then I believe this will be worth learning more about. Horse before the cart, not the other way around.

Just my humble (kind of) opinion (and all of this is solely my opinion). 

• You can find information on filing LOIs and petitions at the following websites: 

State BOE Charter School/Cluster Process Guide
https://www.facebook.com/notes/erika-harris/dunwoody-charter-cluster-important-information/10151555412805236

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxkcnVpZGhpbGxzY2N8Z3g6MzYwZGU5MThjMWFiZGQ1Mw

Dekalb County School District Charter Application Guide and Timeline
https://www.facebook.com/notes/erika-harris/dunwoody-charter-cluster-important-information/10151555412805236

http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/charter-schools/guidelines-for-charter-school-petitions.pdf

Druid Hill's Charter Cluster Information and Process

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxkcnVpZGhpbGxzY2N8Z3g6NThkMDk4MmI0MWEwNzc2Yg