Did vote on Lodi charter school violate state law?
When three Lodi Unified School District board members voted against a charter school earlier this week, their only reasoning was a worry that it could take money from other schools.
But did that vote violate a state law? California's education code lists five reasons a school board may deny a charter school's application. Those reasons address curriculum and program concerns, and make no mention of a financial impact on the school district.
The director of proposed Rio Valley Charter School plans to appeal the Tuesday night decision to San Joaquin County's Office of Education. Board members voted 3-3; the school needed a majority vote in order to pass.
The vote came as a shock to director Paul Keefer, who said that as late as the Friday before the vote, everything seemed fine. They'd ironed out bugs in the plan, discussing it with LUSD officials. "We worked many hours and countless thousands of dollars with attorneys — their attorneys and ours. It's unbelievable that they gave us direction and then rescinded it at the 11th hour," Keefer said.
The school is currently operating under a Sacramento-area district as part of Heritage Peak Charter School, but Keefer said he wants it to have stronger Lodi roots. The
But did that vote violate a state law? California's education code lists five reasons a school board may deny a charter school's application. Those reasons address curriculum and program concerns, and make no mention of a financial impact on the school district.
The director of proposed Rio Valley Charter School plans to appeal the Tuesday night decision to San Joaquin County's Office of Education. Board members voted 3-3; the school needed a majority vote in order to pass.
The vote came as a shock to director Paul Keefer, who said that as late as the Friday before the vote, everything seemed fine. They'd ironed out bugs in the plan, discussing it with LUSD officials. "We worked many hours and countless thousands of dollars with attorneys — their attorneys and ours. It's unbelievable that they gave us direction and then rescinded it at the 11th hour," Keefer said.
The school is currently operating under a Sacramento-area district as part of Heritage Peak Charter School, but Keefer said he wants it to have stronger Lodi roots. The
