Minutes- Sept 25 2008.doc - Vista Unified School District

OFFICIAL COPY
Greg Moser of Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch
stated he did review the website of the Classical Academy and
addressed some of his concerns. Mr. Moser stated that they are WASC
accredited and have been established since 1999. He also stated that
when he went to look at the documents a lot of information is fairly
current. They include a lot of appendices which are not part of the
charter document. Mr. Moser advised that four areas be covered:
1. That the appendices be included in the charter document.
2. They reference the other charters that they have but nothing states
in the charter or appendices how the Classical Academy relates to
the other schools.
3. New employees need to go into STRS and not social security.
4. Will they be a school of the District or their own LEA.
5. Notice of where the site will be located.
6. Specify Insurance.
Discussions continued regarding appendices not being included in the
petition and the possible reasons for that. Member Guffanti wanted more
clarification on the conditions to approve by Greg Moser.
Member Lilly stated we can approve, disapprove or approve with
conditions. He stated I am persuaded by staff analysis that there are
pretty systemic and multiple short comings in this proposal and it’s not
our job to make the proposal hold, that’s not our job and it’s not our job to
write a set of conditions to make sure the proposal holds. Member Lilly
continued and I’m not prepared to approve this charter school with this
many questions remaining unanswered even though we’ve given them
multiple opportunities to answer those questions.
Member Lilly moved to deny the charter, seconded by Member
Hubbard.
Member Guffanti stated the positive aspects of the school. He also
mentioned their other charters that have been successful. Member
Guffanti would like to suggest that the Board do a conditional acceptance
and have Greg Moser and Classical Academy work out the details.
Member Hubbard stated the conditions of the petition do not meet his
expectations regarding racial ethnic balance, special education and
securing of a facility/site for the school.
Member Herrera expressed her concerns of a past charter school that
did not last a year due to the charter itself was very poorly written.
Member Herrera did not want to see the students of this District out on a
limb. They would be better served in receiving a quality education by
staying were they are within the District. She would vote against the
Classical Academy.
Member Gibson stated competition is good for the public school system.
Charter Schools offer an alternative for parents. If they are not meeting
the needs of the students they should fail. Competition adds quality.
Member Gibson stated if he had a choice he would ask for a conditional.
Believes this could be a successful charter school.
Page 6 of 8
9/25/08
Regular Board Meeting Minutes