Charter Decisions

Editor:

On Feb. 6, I attended the Fortuna Elementary School District board meeting where the Facilities Use Committee presented its ideas in answer to the request from Redwood Preparatory Charter School to share facilities. (“Charter School Rift,” Jan. 24.) I wonder how many parents knew the meeting had been rescheduled to Wednesday night instead of the usual Thursday night because of Valentine’s Day, since only a few parents were present.

There were nine different options presented to the board, ranging from Redwood Prep staying at its present site with help from the district, or relocating to one of the four schools in the district, or maybe consolidating the four schools (South School, Ambrosini, Toddy and Fortuna Middle) into three campuses and providing the remaining empty campus to the charter school.

Could we see class sizes of up to 34 children? Legally, yes. Could this cost thousands of dollars we don’t have? Yes, because the district is legally required to find a solution to the charter school’s request for space, even though there is no extra money. (What is going to be cut from the budget?) Could we have seventh and eighth grade students on the same campus as kindergarteners and first graders? That is another option.

The district board has a tough decision to make, and some group is going to be unhappy. Probably a few groups of people. I hope the board makes a decision which is good for all our children and not a select few. If you are concerned, you might want to let the board members know your opinions before a final decision is made. Their decision will affect your children in the Fortuna Elementary Schools. The board’s next meeting is at 6:15 p.m. March 7 at the Fortuna Middle School cafeteria.

John Miller, Fortuna

This article appears in The Fireball.