Public hearing held on Verona Charter School renewal; museum and special-education staff urge five-year renewal

The Lakeside Union School District Board of Trustees opened a public hearing under Education Code 47605(b) to consider a five-year renewal petition for Verona Charter School, covering July 2025 through June 30, 2030. The hearing included presentations by charter leaders and public commenters who urged renewal.

A school representative described the charter as “a vital part of our community” and asked the board to renew the charter for another five years, citing culture-based instruction and steady academic work. The speaker said the school recently changed its public name from Verona Indian Charter School to Verona Charter School and listed recent facility upgrades including a new cafeteria, added security fencing and a new PA system.

Marie Egan Headley, director and curator of the Verona Cultural Center and Museum, told trustees the museum and charter school have developed a “national award–winning” curriculum that teaches Kumeyaay culture weekly to students K–8. “As museum director, I play two roles. I get to serve the charter school students in two ways,” she said, describing weekly culture-class time and partnerships that let students work with regional museums.

Jamie Beach, a resource specialist at the charter, described the program’s individualized supports for students with special needs and said the charter keeps parents involved through frequent meetings and collaboration with case managers.

Trustees closed the public hearing without reaching a decision and indicated the renewal request will return to the board for action at a subsequent meeting. No formal renewal decision was recorded at the hearing.