Reflections from Mr. Alex Quigley, Chair Charter Schools Advisory Board
I'm happy to share that despite the snowy weather this
month, mother nature cut us a break so we could hold our January meetings! We
had a number of strong applicants and we're excited to send them forward with
recommendations to the SBE.
It's clear that our new board members have settled
into their roles and we couldn't be more grateful for the leadership and time
of Lynn Kroeger and Lindalyn Kakedelis. They've been a wonderful addition to
the CSAB. We look forward to digging into another batch of applicants next
month and welcome Heather Vancannon to the board!
Charter School Application Reviews/Interviews
The CSAB conducted its
interview phase for 5 of 29 applicants proposing to open in 2019-20
on January 8, 2018. The schools appearing before the CSAB and their
recommendations are as follows:
-
Bishop George W Brooks Male Academy Academy - RECOMMENDED to the SBE
- Ridgeview Charter School - RECOMMENDED to the SBE
-
Kaleidoscope Charter School - RECOMMENDED to the SBE
- MINA's Place - NOT RECOMMENDED to the SBE
- Clara Science Academy - NOT RECOMMENDED
to the SBE
CSAB committees conducted
clarification reviews/interviews at its January 9, 2018 meeting for 9 of 29
applicants proposing to open in 2019-20. The applicant groups below forwarded
to interview will receive a full one-hour interview with the CSAB at its February 2018 meeting.
- Academy of Excellence - NOT forwarded to interview
- Piedmont Career Academy - NOT forwarded
to interview
- Ballantyne Charter High School - Withdrew
- Steele Creek STEM Academy - Forwarded
to interview
- Rising Above the Stars Academy - Forwarded
to interview
- Tillery Charter Academy - Forwarded
to interview
- Clemmons STEM Academy - NOT forwarded to interview
- Wilmington School of the Arts - Forwarded to interview
- Eminence Academy - Forwarded to Interview
Additionally, the CSAB will
conduct its final round of reviews and clarifications for 4 of 29 applicants
proposing to open in 2018-19 on February 12 - 13, 2018. Attached below is the
approved application timeline and process which details what happens with each
phase of the application process for schools proposing to open in 2019-20. The
Office of Charter Schools maintains a progress chart on its website to detail
decisions made by the CSAB and State Board of Education.
Attachments: 2017 Charter Application Timeline
and Process
(pdf, 430kb)
 National School Choice Week (January 21 - 27, 2018) Reflections from Mr. Steven Walker (Vice Chair) and Mr. Joe Maimone (Committee Chair) Charter Schools Advisory Board
Mr. Steven Walker
National School Choice Week is a great time for us to
reflect on all the educational reforms and achievements that have been brought
about by charter schools. The increased competition provided by charter schools
being established in communities all over North Carolina has been a tide that
lifted all boats, charter and traditional alike. Parents can choose the
educational methods that work best for their children, whether it be a standard
curriculum, a classical-based model, STEM, project-based learning, or many
others.
Our commitment to school choice recognizes that students learn in
different ways, and thankfully, the cookie-cutter methods of education will
soon be thing of the past. It is an honor to serve on the Charter Schools
Advisory Board and work toward ensuring the existence of high quality charter
schools of choice in North Carolina. Happy School Choice Week!
Mr. Joe Maimone
As we ready for
National School Choice Week, I would like to take a moment to thank all of our
dedicated North Carolina charter school administrators and staff for the
tireless work you do to provide high quality school choice in our state.
It has taken us 21 years to get here, but we are at the threshold of a major
milestone as we near 100,000 students who are educated annually in North
Carolina public charter schools.
As a Charter School Advisory Board
member since 2011, I am thankful for the scores of dedicated school leaders who
have come to share their passions to educate so many young men and women in
innovative and creative ways. Even with all the challenges that you face,
take solace in knowing the difference you each make in the lives of so many
students. Together, let us make this the best year yet for the school
choice movement in North Carolina."
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