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D11 board unanimously approves two new K-8 charters; one application withdrawn
Summary
The board approved charter applications for East Hills Academy and Spruce Community School after a public hearing; a separate new-charter application (Gateway for Success) was withdrawn by the applicant and removed from the agenda.
The Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education on June 4 approved two new charter-school applications following public hearings and staff review: East Hills Academy and Spruce Community School. Both were presented to the board as comprehensive applications and were supported by community members at a scheduled public hearing.
Board process and public input: the board—s district accountability committee and staff conducted comprehensive reviews of both applications and held a question-and-answer session with the applicants. Speakers at the public hearing spoke in favor of East Hills and Spruce; supporters cited character education, project-based learning, small class sizes and family-friendly scheduling as reasons to approve the petitions.
Gateway for Success: earlier in the meeting the board announced that Gateway for Success Charter School had voluntarily withdrawn its new-charter application; the board removed that item from the agenda accordingly.
What happens next: approval of a charter application is the first formal step. The district will move to develop a charter contract with the approved schools; the contract will return to the board for final approval before the schools may open. Board members and administration reminded applicants they will need to meet a series of milestones and regulatory requirements over the next 15 months as they prepare for initial enrollment and opening.
