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Board Halts Master Plan; Proposal Includes Charter Schools in Facility Improvements

Posted on: Wednesday, 21 September 2005, 12:00 CDT

The Santa Fe Public Schools Tuesday stalled on a proposal to include area charter schools in the district's master plan for facility improvements and construction, even though it's required by state law.

The state Legislature this year amended the law to require that charter schools be included in district master plans. The change also requires that charter schools be in public buildings by 2010.

Even though Santa Fe board members acknowledged they have no choice but to adhere to the law, all said they still want more clarification about the state mandate. The committee that reviews the district's facility upgrades and construction recommended adding charter schools to the plan.

Board vice president Carmichael Dominguez recommended tabling the proposal for further study, despite superintendent Gloria Rendn's assurances that including the charter schools in the master plan didn't mean the district automatically became financially responsible for them.

"This does not commit the district financially," Rendn said. "All the board is approving is the inclusion of charter schools in facilities master plan."

After the meeting, the district's chief operations officer, Leslie Carpenter noted that no bond money could be spent on charter schools' buildings until they become public facilities.

Board member Frank Montao, who voted in favor of the delay, said the board will eventually have to add on the charter schools.

"It's not necessarily a bad thing," Montao said. "There is no reason we should fear improving buildings that children of this community" attend, he said.

Carpenter assured board members their tabling of the motion will not impede her from contracting a company to assess the facility needs of the charter schools.

Board secretary Mary Ellen Gonzales said she always considered charter school students as pupils in the public schools, but was willing to approve tabling the matter to gather more information.

"It's kind of stupid to table, but I'll vote yes," she said.

Board member Marcy Litzenberg requested a study session be held next month on the subject. The topic is to be taken up again at the Oct. 4 school board meeting.

Source: Albuquerque Journal

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