The Cottonwood Creek Charter School organizing committee submitted a petition to the Cottonwood Union School District during a board meeting last week that stirred up negative comments from many of the district's teachers in attendance.
It is no secret that California is a charter-friendly state and the Obama administration is encouraging states to expand charter programs and reform policies by handing out "Race to the Top" funds.
However, teachers at the meeting who are apparently fearful of the competition and protective of their hard-won union pay and benefits became argumentative and at times acted coldly toward presenters, voicing concerns and arguing about possible outcomes.
Mark Boyle, principal at North Cottonwood School, presented the petition aided by Barbara Reuss, a teacher at Westwood Charter School, who was there to answer questions and present portions of the document.
The overall goal of the petition, according to Boyle, is to present an alternative to families already sending their children out of the district to other charter schools. Boyle hopes to recapture lost Average Daily Attendance, bringing it back into the community and possibly the district.
Within 30 days, a meeting will be set to discuss the charter school petition in detail. Within 60 to 90 days, the board can approve or deny the petition.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
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