Charter School Rejected in West Bend

I live-blogged the West Bend School Board meeting last night.  See prior posts.


Here is some eye-opening video that cuts to the heart of the matter.  Not really about the kids after all, is it?  Nah, didn't think so.


Bruce Dunford explains the survey he spent his own money out to get a feel for community interest.  He prefaces his explanation with a reminder that the survey is not scientific.  





School Board member, Kris Beaver says things are going too fast, and Supt. Pat Herdrich says admin. will not recommend charter.




Here you'll see School Board President Joe Carlson trying to shame and bully Board Member Randy Marquart.  Carlson did a lot of this last night....raising eyebrows in question, throwing hands up, nodding, posturing.  It was quite a performance.





I'm including this video for it's sheer lack of intelligent thought and coercive undertones.  Liberal board member Kris Beaver calls the proposed charter school as probably "the most expensive charter school" in the state of Wisconsin, yet Dunford has not even been allowed to go into negotiations to determine what is acceptable and workable with the District.  Could that be because the District doesn't want to work with Dunford?





Here is some disappointing video of local Catholic Schools (Cabrini, Holy Angels, St. Mary's and St. John's) all afraid of........losing their kids to the charter school?  They are worried about attendance dropping and losing money.  They voice no concern whatsoever to those who may want a choice other than the public school currently offered and cannot afford a private school.  I expected more, but got wayyyyyyyyy less.  Here is the so-called Christian leadership accusing a Christian of having Christianity in a school!  OMY!  Though untrue, it seems a bit skewed, does it not?


Dave Kellerman, Principal at St. John's Lutheran  School, afraid of another school that might teach...Christianity?  Afraid of the school "stealing" their kids.



Pastor Jim Dorth of St. John's Lutheran Church setting the tone for Christian leadership that is fearful of a public school option that will "steal kids" from the local parochial schools.  Wait a minute, don't parents choose where they want their kids to attend?  This is sounding more and more like the Target Olive Garden issue that was rejected in West Bend.



The next two I simply must separate out for some specific commentary.


Here is the principal from Holy Angels.  Now, in talking with quite a few former Holy Angel's parents, seems they had some, er, issues shall we say that concluded with a severe drop in enrollment recently.  Again, it's not really about the kids, is it?  





And then there's Jeff Haines.  The Reverend from Cabrini.  Good old Jeff.  Common Grounds Jeff.  Jeff, shouldn't you be robbing from the rich and giving to the poor?  Isn't that your philosophy?  Share with those who have not?  Yet you're bemoaning a nonexistent financial loss to your school.  The one that people can't afford, especially in these rough economic circumstances.  Are your Common Ground principles only convenient when you can pull in the proverbial collection plate dollar for your own agenda?  You don't have us fooled, Jeff.  You really don't.





Moving on to uber-liberal West Bend Public Schools Foundation chairman Mark Maley.  He calls the charter school proposal a "conspiracy."  LOL!  Sorry - I can't help myself.  LOLOLOL!  As a West Bend school district employee and one who is known for his adamant support of taxing to the MAX, I'm surprised and...confused??....by this new thought process from Mark.  It seems that garnering moolah from the taxpayers is only a good thing when it's something you approve of.  Now the table is turned and, well, you can watch for yourself.



I'll end with a couple of pro-charter school thoughts:



and 

Public Hearing on CHARTER SCHOOL in West Bend - MONDAY

A Board of Education work session to discuss the Crossroads Academy Charter School proposal is scheduled for Monday, November 22, 2010, from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. at McLane Elementary School, 833 Chestnut Street, West Bend.

Board of Education members will listen to public comments during the regular Board of Education meeting at 7 p.m., immediately following the work session. 


This is your opportunity to lend support to a public school CHOICE.  


Crossroads Academy information can be accessed HERE.


A recent column appearing in the West Bend News concerning the charter school proposal can be viewed HERE.

Charter School endorsed by panel in WEST BEND

A GOOD thing.

The idea of establishing a charter school in the West Bend School District will come before the entire School Board next month, following the recommendation made Monday by Board of Instruction committee members to advance the concept. 

    Information about the proposed charter school, Crossroads Academy, was presented to school board members Tim Stepanski, Dave Weigand and Kris Beaver during the committee meeting Monday evening. 

    “I think ultimately we have to, in today’s budgets, at least look at other opportunities,” Stepanski said. “I would like to see it go forward to the board for further discussion.” 

    Bruce Dunford, West Bend resident and pastor of First Baptist Church, filed a petition to establish a charter school over the summer. 

    The purpose of starting a charter school, Dunford said, is to present the families of West Bend with a high quality, publicly funded alternative to the public school system.