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October 15, 2008
State approves Elko charter school
By JOHN SENTS-Staff Writer Elko Daily Free Press
ELKO - Elko-area parents will have a school choice outside of the Elko County School District next year after the Nevada State School Board approved the county's first charter school, dubbed the Elko Institute for Academic Achievement.
The school, which will likely serve second- through eighth-grade students to start, will be geared toward high-level learners - but will be open to students of all levels. Organizers hope it will serve 120 to 150 children.
Like all the county's public schools, Elko Institute will not have a tuition. Unlike existing schools, it will not be managed by the Elko County School District or its board of trustees.
Instead, the charter school will have its own board of trustees who will manage operations. The school will, however, have to answer to its chosen sponsor - the state school board - as well as the state department of education.
If the goals of the school set forth in its charter are not met, this charter may be revoked or not renewed.
“The real crunch is now,” said Cheryl Hecht, a member of the startup committee. “Between now and Jan. 1, we have a lot to accomplish.”
In addition to approving the application, the state school board agreed to sponsor the fledgling school, meaning it will be responsible for audits and other oversight to ensure it follows its charter.
Now its application is approved, the school startup committee can establish a board of directors, look for funds, sign a building lease and secure insurance.
Committee members said they have a building in mind to lease and are finalizing details. They applied for a charter start-up grant through the federal government and will also receive state Distributive School Account funds.
While the school is geared toward high-level learners, it will have services available for all students.
Even some gifted students may be exceptional in some areas and average in others, organizers said. Raising the bar for all students brings up their performance level, which is a goal of the school.
Organizers say the institute will match curriculum to student ability.
“Individuals' readiness, interests and learning styles will be nurtured and through those positive interactions, children's' self-esteem and self-efficacy will grow,” Hecht said.
The school's policies have not yet been set, but organizers envision it as a place where high parent involvement will be the norm.
They might require students to wear uniforms.
Teachers will have more flexibility to integrate differentiation into their classroom practices, organizers said. The school must meet all state test requirements that public schools do under the No Child Left Behind Act.
Organizers expect the small size of the school and higher expectations for its students and families will help cut down on issues with bullies - which has been a problem at some area schools.
“We will try to provide an atmosphere where all students feel they are welcome,” said Karen Ash, an organizer of the school. “The jewel of a charter school is it provides an alternative. Oftentimes, these are the kids that feel they don't fit.”
Ash said kids who are singled out or feel in danger have a more difficult time learning. Some children do not push themselves as hard to excel because they don't want to be labeled as “different,” organizers said.
“You do have a lot of parents looking for other choices (in Elko),” said Carrie Allard, an organizer of the school.
Enrollment is available on a first come, first served basis. After it meets its quota, there will be a lottery in place for later applicants.
In addition to students, organizers will need to find teachers this year to fill its ranks for the fall. Organizers said they have heard interest from a number of local educators.
Charter schools around the country breed competition with public schools and often force them to improve the quality of services. These schools have been in Nevada since 1998. Most were created to serve “at risk” students.
Other school options in Elko County include the small Ruby Mountain Christian School in Spring Creek. In addition, Nevada students in fourth through eighth grades can utilize the Nevada Virtual Academy charter school to take classes online. The virtual school is available at www.k12.com/nvvahome/index.html.
For information on the charter school send an e-mail to eiaa@frontiernet.net.
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