Agenda Text
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School Committee and School Superintendent requesting approval of a Resolution opposing the proposed Somerville Progressive Charter School application.
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Official Text
A Resolution from Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, the Somerville Board of Aldermen, the Somerville School Committee, and Superintendent Anthony Pierantozzi opposing the proposed Somerville Progressive Charter School Application.
WHEREAS, there is a proposal to create a second charter school in the City of Somerville called the Somerville Progressive Charter School (SPCS); AND,
WHEREAS, the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will vote on the basis of criteria set forth in the charter statute , G.L. c. 71, § 89, and the Charter School Regulations, 603 CMR 1.05(1) and 603 CMR 1.05(2); AND
WHEREAS, the SPCS Application fails to demonstrate an ability to meet the criteria set forth in G.L. c. 71, § 89(i)(3) and 603 CMR 1.05(1)(b), due to a substantially inadequate English Language Learner program that does not provide sufficient English instruction for Beginning and Early Intermediate English Language Learners to progress in English and to overcome language barriers that impede equal access to grade level curriculum; as well as inadequate staffing projections and a lack of an outlined ‘continuum of services’ to effectively address the needs of the Special Education population; AND
WHEREAS, the SPCS Application fails to demonstrate an ability to meet the criteria set forth in G.L. c. 71, § 89(i)(3) and 603 CMR 1.05(1)(d), due to an inadequate and poorly conceived recruitment and retention plan; AND
WHEREAS, the SPCS Application fails to demonstrate an ability to meet the criteria set forth in G.L. c. 71, § 89(i)(3) and 603 CMR 1.05(1)(e), due to a lack of broad-based parental involvement in the Application development process, particularly among its proposed target English Language Learner population; AND
WHEREAS, the SPCS Application fails to demonstrate an ability to meet the criteria set forth in G.L. c. 71, § 89(i)(3) and 603 CMR 1.05(1)(f), due the fact that the proposed school fails to enhance options for students in the district as it replicates or falls short of what the Somerville Public Schools is currently providing, which includes a comprehensive K-12 Sheltered English Immersion Program, a two-way bilingual program at Unidos, and a school with an explicitly defined progressive focus that was recently extensively revised at the Healey School at the direction of the School Committee; AND
WHEREAS, the SPCS Application fails to demonstrate an ability to meet the criteria set forth in G.L. c. 71, § 89(i)(3) and 603 CMR 1.05(1)(g), due to an oppositional posture with the Somerville Public Schools and a failure of the SPCS to involve any Somerville Public Schools staff or School Committee members in the Application development process; AND
WHEREAS, the SPCS Application fails to demonstrate an ability to meet the criteria set forth in G.L. c. 71, § 89(i)(3) and 603 CMR 1.05(1)(h), due to the lack of significant elementary school management experience among the Founder’s Group or the proposed Educational Advisory Board, as well as the fact that the proposed school is without a clearly defined management structure; AND
WHEREAS, the SPCS Application fails to meet the criteria for Proven Providers set forth in G.L. c. 71, § 89(i)(3) and 603 CMR 1.05(2), due to the fact that the Applicant has not named Proven Providers affiliated with schools or similar programs relevant to the proposed charter; AND
WHEREAS, the SPCS Application fails to meet the criteria for Proven Providers set forth in G.L. c. 71, § 89(i)(3) and 603 CMR 1.05(2)(a), due to the fact that the Proven Providers named by the Applicant have inadequately defined roles and responsibilities in the proposed charter; AND
WHEREAS, the SPCS Application fails to meet the criteria for Proven Providers set forth in G.L. c. 71, § 89(i)(3) and 603 CMR 1.05(2)(c), due to the fact that it does not clearly identify management or financial leadership and structure as evidence of organizational viability; AND
WHEREAS, the SPCS Application fails to meet the criteria set forth in G.L. c. 71, § 89(i)(3) and 603 CMR 1.05(2)(d), due to the fact that the Proven Providers named by the Applicant do not serve student populations similar to the population to be served by the proposed charter; NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, the Somerville Board of Aldermen, the Somerville School Committee, and Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Pierantozzi, hereby stand united in opposition to the establishment of the Somerville Progressive Charter School; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, the Somerville Board of Aldermen, the Somerville School Committee, and Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Pierantozzi, hereby urge the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to reject the application of the Somerville Progressive Charter School; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution shall be filed with the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education immediately following approval of this Resolution by the Mayor, the Board of Aldermen, the School Committee, and the School Superintendent.