Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Charter Schools topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parkland mayor asks staff to study feasibility of converting city schools to charter schools
Summary
Mayor Rich Walker asked the City Commission to direct staff to prepare a feasibility study on converting Parkland schools to charter schools; commissioners voiced broad support and staff said it will return pricing at the city budget meeting.
Mayor Rich Walker asked the City of Parkland City Commission on June 18 to direct staff to prepare a feasibility study on whether Parkland schools could convert to charter schools.
Walker said, "I didn't add this to the agenda, but I would like to direct staff to perform a feasibility study to look at the way we could potentially have our schools in Parkland convert to charter schools." He said the request was prompted by changes at Broward County Public Schools and concerns that the district may sell land the county owns within city limits.
The request won quick support from other commissioners. Vice Mayor Israel said, "I am all in favor of at least going to that next step to determine what that study would look like, what it would cost, you know, the time, etcetera," and indicated he would second the effort. Commissioner Breyer asked staff to include a review of what other municipalities are doing, saying, "I would be curious if we're having staff do this to also, report back on what other municipalities are doing." Commissioner Murphy Salamone said she was "good with it" and supportive of research.
City Manager Nancy (last name not specified in the record) told commissioners the city would obtain pricing for the study and present that information at the upcoming budget meeting: "We'll get pricing, and then, our next meeting has to do with budget. So we'll present that pricing to you all at budget." Assistant staff clarified that the direction is a fact-finding mission and not a decision to convert Parkland schools.
Commissioners described the step as exploratory. Walker and others emphasized they were not committing to conversion but wanted options: the study would identify potential paths such as building new facilities, converting district schools, or other alternatives and return to the commission with cost and timeline estimates. Several commissioners said any formal change would require further public workshops and votes.
Next steps: staff will return pricing and a proposed scope for the feasibility study at the city's budget meeting; the commission did not adopt a final plan or ordinance at the June 18 session.
