Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Charter Application Grove topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board denies Grove Elementary charter application, cites readiness and viability concerns
Summary
The Boulder Valley School District board voted unanimously on Jan. 28 to deny the Grove Elementary charter school application, citing unresolved concerns about the proposal's viability and compliance. The board also earlier convened an executive session under CRS 24-6-402(4)(b) to receive legal advice on charter application and renewal processes.
The Boulder Valley School District Board of Education voted unanimously on Jan. 28 to deny the Grove Elementary charter application after a staff- and DAC-led review raised multiple concerns about readiness and long-term viability.
Board member Alex Medler, who spoke during discussion, praised the review process but said the application contained ‘‘fundamental, though, challenges, with opening a charter school’’ that the board could not approve in its current form. ‘‘I do hope this group will come back,’’ Medler said, while explaining why he would support denial.
Nut graf: The board's decision followed staff analysis, DAC comment and an executive session convened under Colorado law to receive legal advice about charter application and renewal procedures. The board also acted that evening to adopt a board policy and an expedited regulation (LBD and LBD-R) aligning BVSD procedures with a state law change that alters the application window for new charters.
The denial motion was made, seconded and approved by roll call; all board members present voted yes. Earlier in the meeting, the board had moved into executive session under CRS 24-6-402(4)(b) specifically ‘‘to receive specific legal advice on the charter school application and renewal process,’’ a motion made on the record by Alex Medler and seconded by Kitty. Laura (board clerk) called the roll for votes in both the executive-session motion and the subsequent denial.
The board also approved policy LBD (relationships with charter schools) for immediate implementation and a related regulation to align district timelines with the state law change that became effective Jan. 1. Kathleen Sullivan told the board the state law now requires a different application window and June 30 action date, prompting the expedited regulation.
Ending: The board's denial leaves open the option for the applicant community to return with a revised proposal; board members encouraged applicants and district staff to pursue alternatives or refinements that would address the board's identified deficiencies. No immediate operational change to district schools was ordered as a result of the denial.
