Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Charter Renewal New America Thornton topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Adams 12 board votes 4-1 to renew New America School Thornton charter for two years amid special-education concerns
Summary
The Adams 12 Five Star Schools Board of Education voted 4-1 to approve a two-year renewal of the New America School Thornton charter after a lengthy discussion focused on special-education services, staffing stability and the school's relationship with its authorizing organization.
The Adams 12 Five Star Schools Board of Education voted 4-1 on Feb. 5 to adopt a two-year renewal of the New America School Thornton charter, approving the resolution after extended discussion about special-education services, staffing and the charter’s leadership support.
Board members said the school provides important services for a high-need student population, but several directors pressed New America and the district about gaps in special-education staffing and consistency of IEP service delivery.
Directors repeatedly raised the need for a stable learning specialist on site and for clearer assurances that required minutes in students’ individualized education programs (IEPs) will be met without unacceptable gaps. Some board members said the school’s percentage of students receiving special-education services appears lower than district averages and warrants closer monitoring to ensure students who should be served are identified and supported.
Board members also questioned whether New America’s larger organizational leadership was sufficiently engaged in Thornton to help recruit and retain special-education staff and to provide financial or programmatic support. Several directors said charter schools in the district share resources and that one charter using a disproportionate share of a pooled district resource is unfair to the others.
After the discussion the board adopted the two-year renewal resolution. The vote was recorded as: Director Assad Lucas — Aye; Director Battistelli — Aye; Director Goldstein — Aye; Director Marsh Holshin — Aye; Director Potter — No.
Board members said they intend to monitor the school’s progress closely and expect follow-up reporting on special-education staffing, identification rates (including gifted-and-talented identification), and student attendance.
The board did not adopt the alternative resolution to deny renewal.
The board’s action preserves the school’s authorization for two years; directors emphasized that the renewal carries an expectation of rapid corrective action on the special-education points raised during the meeting.
