Technology Charter School Proposed in Catoosa
By Ronnie Moore, Chattanooga Times/Free Press, Tenn.
Feb. 10–RINGGOLD, Ga. — Work is under way on a proposal to the Catoosa County school board to establish a a charter high school for technology, Ringgold Telephone Executive Vice President Phil Erli said.
“The hope is we can make Catoosa County into an educational hub for the area with a charter school and a state college campus at Benton Place,” Mr. Erli said. “Having both institutions would give our students a competitive advantage for jobs or further studies.”
He said he has until Aug. 1 to submit a business plan to the grades eight-through-12 school to the Catoosa County school board.
Approval by the school board would then send the petition to the state charter board.
Catoosa County Commission Chairman Bill Clark said the vision for a nontraditional school as outlined by Mr. Erli would rely heavily on academics.
“If this effort is successful, it will be one of the finest assets this county could have,” Mr. Clark said.
Mr. Erli said he initially discussed the concept with Catoosa Schools Superintendent Denia Reese more than a year ago.
He said he is working with Ed’s Vision of Minneapolis, Minn., and Result Tec in Pennsylvania to develop the plan.
Mr. Erli said Ed’s Vision has developed or is working on about 15 such schools, while Result Tec is known for its work in developing the CART School in Fresno, Calif.
“What we are seeking is a nontraditional school with project-based teaching and heavy emphasis on technology in and outside the classroom,” he said. “Every student would have a computer.”
Mr. Erli said two locations owned by Ringgold Telephone Co. are under consideration as a school site.
“One tract is near Ringgold Elementary School and is about 40 acres,” he said, adding that construction of the school might be financed with private funds.
Once established, charter schools in Georgia receive funding like other public schools.
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