Charter school proposal elicits concerns
By Caitlyn Kelleher Journal Staff Reporter

Ashburnham - Westminster Superintendent of Schools Michael Zapantis was one of a number of educators who spoke out about a charter school that would be open to students from the two towns.

Zapantis was one of a handful of people to attend a public hearing on Dec. 11 at Levi Heywood Memorial Library in Gardner.

Zapantis said there is not enough data to support the need for the school in the region. He said there is no data indicating whether parents will send their children to the school.

“If existing public schools are required to make data-driven decision-making changes, then this same standard should hold true for charter schools,” he said.

Maplewind is one of four charter schools that could be approved by the Department of Education to open in the 2007-2008 school year.

“Maplewind will establish the arts as part of the core curriculum,” according to the school’s proposal. “It will approach this by interdisciplinary curriculum, team teaching and a schedule that allows for equal time and weight for all courses.”

The school would serve 240 students in grades 7-12.

If approved by the DOE then Maplewind would serve students from 17 towns, including Ashburnham, Westminster, Holden, Paxton, Rutland, Princeton, Oakham, Sterling, Gardner, Hubbardston, Winchendon, Templeton, Phillipston, Petersham, Barre, New Braintree and Hardwick.

Russell Killough-Miller, who is organizing the school’s proposal, said that there is a need for an alternative education option in the region.

“We’re offering this as an alternative for students not getting what they need for curricular reasons or for pedagogical reasons,” he said.

Killough-Miller said that there are would be a minimal impact on the local districts because the charter school, if approved, would be open to students from a large number of communities.

Rutland Selectman Louis J. Cornacchioli spoke out against the proposal. The former Wachusett Regional High School teacher and the current representative for the Massachusetts Teacher Association said he had concerns about the proposed school, which would be located in Hubbardston.

“I’m really concerned about the mission,” he said.

He said he doesn’t know if the school is for students who are considered gifted and therefore struggle in a regular classroom, or for students who have behavioral or educational difficulties.

The school would operate on an eight hour and 15 minute school day.

Cornacchioli asked how the school was going to pay teachers a competitive rate and still be able to afford to stay open.

“I don’t see that happening,” he said.

Winchendon Superintendent of Schools Peter Azar, Narragansett Regional Superintendent Stephen Hemman and that district’s school committee chairman also spoke against the project. They questioned the charter school’s ability to take special education students and the state formula for funding charter schools.

“Will the staff be one that is able to take some or our most challenging students,” asked Azar.

Three parents from Hubbardston spoke in favor of the proposed school.

“The idea of an integrated arts program is unique,” said Renee Malowitz, a member of the school’s founding board.

Donna Farrell said this is a positive thing because it offers an alternative form of education “without putting the financial burden on the families.”

Another public hearing will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at the State House in Boston from 4 to 6 p.m. and written comments can be submitted until Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007. Those comments can be mailed to the Department of Education, Charter School Office, 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148 or e-mailed to charterschools@doe. mass.edu.