School board deadlocked on charter school issue
The Baltimore City school board last night was deadlocked on whether to revoke the charter of Dr. Rayner Browne Academy, a West Baltimore elementary/middle school. Four members voted to support Andres Alonso's recommendation to take away the charter from the Baltimore Curriculum Project, while three voted against. With two members of the nine member panel absent, the board did have the majority vote it needed.
So the issue will come before the board again on March 9, when it is likely to be decided. The board did vote to give five schools a two year charter renewal. They are: City Springs, Colllington Square, Coppin Academy, Bluford Drew Jemison, and Baltimore International Academy. Four charters were given five year contracts. They are: Inner Harbor East Academy for Young Scholars, Southwest Baltimore Charter School, Wolf Street Academy and Independence.
CEO Andres Alonso and the board had a few tense moments when Anirban Basu asked for more data to back up the recommendation that one of the charters only be extended for two years, not five. "I resent having to do this," Alonso said as he detailed the poor performance of some of the schools so that the board could understand what his reservations are about the schools the renewals. He said school board members had been given a lot of detailed information before the meeting and that it was "their responsibility" to read it. Alonso said he believed it was "unfair to the schools," that he believed had been working hard to improve.
The board seemed unconcerned and continued to have a detailed, policy debate over when charters should be renewed.
Baltimoresun.com's 
Comments
It isn't an pleasant decision, but schools must be held accountable for their results at some point. It doesn't mean that the people who work there aren't working hard enough, but you have to draw a line in the sand and act. Let's be real, Baltimore City schools are in horrible shape. I support Alonso making the tough decisions
Posted by: Bmore Teacher | February 25, 2010 3:30 PM
Dr. Alonso has no right to, "resent," being required to defend his recommendations. His selective enforcement of Charter Schools meeting operating requirements and his lack of expertise in "Transforming," existing schools without evicting the occupying student population should cause all of us to take notice of his competency. He has an idealist perception of Charter schools. If he resents being held accountable for his recommendations who will hold Charters accountable. Maybe, he has done all he can do for BCPS k-12.
Posted by: Angel Entner | February 25, 2010 4:01 PM
I agree with Bmore Teacher. With so much emphasis on accountability, charter school operators must be held to a very high standard. Isn't that the point of offering charter schools ? Shouldn't city children and their parents trust that operators of charter schools are providing their students with proven research-based curriculums delivered by competent educators ? It is interesting to note that the charter school in question , as well as two others only approved for a two-year renewal, are all run by one operator. Perhaps the board should take a closer look at these folks.
Posted by: charmschool54 | February 26, 2010 10:27 AM
God made the Idiot for practice, and then He made the School Board.
- Mark Twain
Posted by: Is there a worm in this apple? | February 27, 2010 12:02 AM