Local School Districts Oppose Hebrew-Immersion Charter School

The state Education Department has approved a controversial plan for a Hebrew-immersion charter school serving Englewood and Teaneck as local district officials questioned the merits of the proposed school.

The school, Shalom Academy, was one of 23 charter schools approved by the state, Gov. Chris Christie announced on Tuesday.  Christie has pledged to increase the amount of charters in the state as part of his education reform agenda.

“Increasing the opportunity and choice available to families is crucial to reforming the education system and building a foundation for its excellence,” said Acting Education Commissioner Chris Cerf in a statement.

School officials in Englewood and Teaneck have opposed Shalom Academy, saying the school would divert funds from local districts and the curriculum was too narrow.

"I'm concerned to see that it was approved," said Teaneck’s Interim Schools Superintendent Barbara Pinsak. “They're supposed to attract a variety of learners and the way the application was written I don't think they would be able to do that."

Shalom Academy "presents a plan for an academically rigorous, Hebrew language immersion program," according to a press release from Christie's office.  State Education Department spokeswoman Allison Kobus said Shalom is a public school that will offer Hebrew Language instruction.

Pinsak emphasized she was not against all charters, but raised concerns over Shalom Academy’s program.  The exact chunk of Teaneck’s school budget that will go to the charter was unknown but Pinsak said it could reach millions of dollars.  An exact dollar amount depends on how many students from Teaneck and Englewood opt to attend Shalom.

The school would start with 160 students in Grades K-5 and expand to 240 students in Grades K-8, according to a report from the state's Office of Charter Schools.

Raphael Bachrach, the person responsible for Shalom Academy’s application, did not respond to requests for comment.

Another Hebrew-immersion school, East Brunswick-based Hatikvah International Academy, opened in September.  A Hebrew-language school proposed in Edison was rejected by state officials Tuesday, NJ.com reported.

Charter schools, public schools operated independently of the local district, have become a major component of the governor's education reform efforts.  Experts, however, differ on how effective the charter schools are.

Ashley Peskoe contributed to this report.