SPRINGDALE — The Springdale School Board in a special meeting Monday voted to oppose plans to locate an open-enrollment charter school within the district's boundaries.
The Oklahoma-based Sky Foundation wants to open the Dove School of Excellence, a charter school targeted to low-income students in kindergarten through 12th grade. If approved, the school would open in 2010 in a former church building with a maximum enrollment of 650 students.
Sky Foundation members detailed in an application to the Arkansas Board of Education plans to teach a curriculum that focuses on math, science and technology, second language skills and character education.
"It seems like in some highly impoverished urban areas, there is that need," said Danny Dotson, the Springdale board's vice president. "I don't think any of us see that in Springdale. It seems that our schools are meeting all of those needs."
The board has until Sept. 30 to file its formal response to the charter application to the state board. The Sky Foundation will have 10 days to respond, after which the board will set a public hearing to discuss the proposal, Superintendent Jim Rollins said.
Open-enrollment charter schools can apply for waivers from some of the rules that govern traditional public schools, trading increased accountability for the additional flexibility. They enroll students through an open lottery system, and students from outside district boundaries can attend.
The Dove School of Excellence is asking for an extended school day, lasting until 5 p.m., and a waiver on educational and certification requirements for teachers and administrators.
Springdale board members also said they were concerned with plans to contract out English as a Second Language Learning for students from non-English-speaking countries, which make up a large portion of the district's low-income students.
"I don't want us to walk out of here saying we don't have challenges and we don't need to improve because you know we do," board President David Van Bebber said. "But I don't think there's anything in this application that says that what their approach is going to be is any better than the one we're taking." To contact this reporter:
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 7, 9 on 09/29/2009