Union Academy officials brief Monroe City Council on growth, programs and facility needs

Union Academy interim head of school Amy Yermack told the Monroe City Council on Oct. 14 that the charter school enrolls about 2,200 students and employs roughly 250–260 staff, and asked the city for help with campus traffic and capital needs.

Yermack said Union Academy, which she described as a college-preparatory public charter school, is in its 26th year and operates on a lottery-based admissions system with no tuition. “We are a public charter school,” she said, adding that the school receives federal, state and local funding but about “80¢ on a dollar” compared with traditional public schools. She invited council members and staff to tour the campus and review campus plans provided by a QR code in the council packet.

The presentation highlighted academic and extracurricular outcomes: Yermack reported the Class of 2025 produced more than 18,000 high school volunteer hours (the slide listed about 5,400 hours by seniors in a single year), more than $12 million in scholarships for graduates and a requirement that seniors complete 105 community-service hours to graduate. She also described a strong agricultural program with teams competing at national contests and recent regional championships, and cited athletics and performing arts programs.

Council members pressed for details about capacity and admissions. Yermack said the school is at capacity most years and that kindergarten admissions are by lottery; she said the school typically admits about 165 kindergarteners and that roughly 1,300 names remain on the wait list. She described the lottery process as computer-based, recorded for public record, and tiered by categories such as siblings and staff.

Yermack noted capital needs including a road around campus to relieve traffic and a new barn for the agriculture program, and said the school’s foundation and community fundraising help bridge facility funding gaps the charter does not receive from other public schools. She said some vehicles and facility projects are on the school’s near-term list and encouraged council members to visit campus.

The council did not take formal action during the presentation; council members asked questions and received the update.

Union Academy attendees identified in the meeting included interim head of school Amy Yermack and Jack James, listed as the organization’s chief operating officer, who accompanied Yermack to the council presentation.