Support Evident At Hearing for Charter High School Plan

If goodwill and community support are any indication, School Lane Charter School's application to open a high school could be approved next month.

The held a hearing on the application Wednesday night before a standing-room-only crowd of supporters that spilled into the hallway. And while board members and administrators had some questions, the two-hour session was marked by cordiality and expressions of mutual respect.

“I have a few questions but only a few because School Lane has demonstrated a strong record of running its school for 13 years,” said district business manager Jack Myers, who said the draft budget for the new school doesn't have realistic figures related to employee pensions.

Superintendent David Baugh also was complimentary after the hearing.

“I'm very impressed with the product they gave us,” he said in reference to the application paperwork which comprises about 1,200 pages.

CEO and Principal Karen Schade explained that School Lane wants to expand its K-8 program because of the community's support to do so, which is reflected by 300 names on a waiting list. The school also included in its application more than 470 pre-enrollment signatures.

School Lane originally sought an amendment to its charter in order to open a high school and have its eight-graders matriculate without having to take part in a lottery, which is required with a new charter. But the district wanted an application for a separate charter because that would require the submission of much more information. That prompted School Lane to file a court petition but Schade recently told Patch that could be withdrawn. And Schade previously explained the school agreed to seek a new charter in order to start the clock on a 45-day limit for school districts to hold hearings on such applications.

After Wednesday's hearing Baugh said he expects a board decision next month.

Board President Heather Nicholas said the board might still approve an amendment and asked Schade if School Lane would still be interested in that. “We'd be very agreeable,” Schade responded.

In response to board member Chester Marshall's concern about having a separate board for the new school, Schade that would be avoided if an amendment were approved.

Four members of the public spoke in favor of the new school, with three also urging for the amendment approval.

“I strongly implore you to see this as an amendment,” said a Clear Springs Drive mother of two School Lane students. “It makes sense to allow them to matriculate.”

Jennifer Lowe of Texas Avenue, who has one of her four children enrolled there, said. “School Lane is like a tightly knit community. Please allow an amendment to give eighth-graders first priority.”

If a lottery were to be held, Schade explained that priority would first be given to the children of founders of the school, then siblings of current students, followed by Bensalem residents. She said about 63 percent of the current enrollment of 595 K-8 students live in Bensalem and she anticipates the same percentage to apply to the high school.

Schade said School Lane loses very few students year to year, and parent Ping Cao backed that up.

“People come back year after year,” said Cao, who has three children attending School Lane. “If we move from Bensalem and we're still within driving distance, I would continue to enroll my children there.”

School Lane plans to implement the International Baccalaureate program which focuses on developing the "intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world,” according to its website. Schade said the IB program is a rigorous one that places an emphasis on intercultural understanding and differentiated instruction aimed at problem solving.

School Lane has applied for IB certification, several employees have begun training and the school's candidacy application is due April 1, Schade said. In addition to using the IB program at the high school, School Lane plans to institute it in sixth-grade next year, with seventh and eighth grade to follow.

The plan is to begin a ninth-grade class in August 2012, with tenth- through 12^th-grade classes following in each of the three following years. The hope is to eventually have 100 students in each of the high school grades.

Schade said all of the new schools teachers will be certified by the state and hopefully teaching in their area of expertise. Board President Heather Nicholas pointed out that state law only requires 75 percent of the teaching staff to be state-certified.

The proposed site for the school is the Glenview Corporate Center off of Street Road, on Tillman Drive, across from .

Marshall also expressed concern with the possibility of School Lane opening two high schools. Schade said plans for a high school in Neshaminy have hit a roadblock, with the school board there rescinding the charter there.

Several board members and administrators asked about the education of special-needs students. Schade said the school has few students identified for special education. Those who are, she said, are generally taught in the same class as other students, with an extra teacher in the room.

“We're meeting students where they are and helping them grow in the process of learning. A lot of kids get the assistance they need before being qualified (for special education),” said Schade.

If School Lane is unable to provide an appropriate education for a special-needs student, it must cover the cost of an outside placement but the public school district must pay for transportation, Schade said.

Only board member Yagnesh Choksi indicated he opposes the application, saying among other things that he believes the IB program is better suited for younger children.

“Why not strengthen your K through 8 program?” he asked.

“Our K-8 program is very strong,” responded Schade. “We have a waiting list because the community wants this.”

When board member Ralph Douglass said there is an incorrect perception that charter schools are better than public schools, Schade quickly interjected.

“We have never once said we are better than anyone else; we are different,” she said. “I think the Bensalem district does a wonderful job. We're just different.”