Ross Valley Charter School plan approved by state Board of Education
The state Board of Education on Thursday approved a controversial proposal to move the Ross Valley School District’s Multi-Age Program off campus and turn it into a charter school.
The board voted unanimously to approve the petition, which had been rejected by two local school boards, after a 2-1/2 hour public hearing. The decision drew a roar of approval from the more than 50 supporters who drove to Sacramento to attend the hearing.
Board member Trish Williams said before the decision was reached that the only reasons the board could deny the appeal were if it were an “unsound” educational program; if the program were unlikely to succeed; if the petition for approval didn’t have enough signatures; or “if it doesn’t have reasonably comprehensive descriptions for 13 (educational) elements required by law.”
The board agreed with a staff analysis that said these requirements were met. The petition was approved with one condition and eight technical amendments. The condition involved requiring that teachers on the board recuse themselves from personnel and compensation decisions.
“We are so excited. It’s a great way to expand public school choice in our community. Marin has fewer charter schools than any other county in the Bay Area,” said charter school board member Kristi Ross Valley Charter School plan approved by state Board of Education:
