State commission impressed with Midtown charter school plans – but decision delayed

 

Local members of the charter school board (Citizens of the World Community Outreach Director Andrea Arroyo and Executive Director Kristen Droege and local board members Joy Van-Hamilton, Jacob Littrell, Luke Norris, Kristin Ellis Johnson and Brett Hembre).

(Left to right) Citizens of the World Community Outreach Director Andrea Arroyo and Executive Director Kristen Droege and local board members Joy Van-Hamilton, Jacob Littrell, Luke Norris, Kristin Ellis Johnson and Brett Hembree.

A state commission has deferred making a recommendation on whether two Midtown charter schools should be established. The state Charter Public School Commission, meeting in Kansas City this morning, said it wants to wait until it has time to review feedback from the Kansas City School District.

The commission had planned to vote today, following a public hearing last night and an interview with Citizens of the World charter school administrators and local board members today.

But Commissioner Dr. Kent Farnsworth said the Kansas City School District had asked for additional time to review the charter school application. The commission agreed to give the district until next Monday to offer its reaction. The commission plans to vote by phone on Tuesday.

Boundaries of the proposed Midtown charter schools. Courtesy Midtown Community School Initiative RFP.

Boundaries of the proposed Midtown charter schools. Courtesy Midtown Community School Initiative RFP.

If the commission approves the proposal, it will go to the State Board of Education, which has final say in granting a charter.

Before its decision to delay the vote, the commission questioned representatives of Citizens of the World, a charter school operator proposing to open two K-1 schools in Midtown in 2016. Members of the board of the future school also responded to questions.

Many of the questions revolved around how the charter schools could ensure both its students and staff represented a diverse cross section of its intended boundaries, from State Line to 71 Highway, Union Station to Brush Creek.

Commission members said they were impressed with the positive community support – and lack of any negative comments – at last night’s public hearing. However, at least one commissioner said he heard some concerns after the meeting from people who did not offer public testimony.

“The major concern is that you won’t be able to maintain diversity over time,” Farnsworth said. Some people have criticized other Kansas City charter schools for becoming less diverse as students move from lower to high grades, he said.

Dr. Kristen Droege, who has been hired as executive director of the Kansas City school, said that Citizens of the World has dealt with a similar issue in its California schools. She said the solution is to maintain a “constant focus” on outreach to diverse communities.

Diversity is built into the Citizens of the World model, local board member Brett Hembree told the commissioners several times.

“Given this model,” he said, referring to the charter application, “we cannot be successful without a diverse group of students. “ He said the school could not be successful without a diverse staff as well.

Members said that the board had deliberately expanded the school boundaries past Prospect Avenue to represent a truly diverse population, and added that they are considering school sites east of Troost.

While the commission deferred a final vote today, its members made it clear they were impressed with the local community involvement and education plan put forth by the Citizens of the World Group. And the commissioners also made it clear they are hoping this proposal can become a model for charter school startups across the state.

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