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Bristol Board of Education opposes REACH charter school application after public hearing and review
Summary
After public comment and multiple board members raised concerns about data, transparency and potential budget impacts, the Bristol Board of Education voted unanimously to oppose the REACH charter school application. Commissioners cited lack of local outreach, unclear facility plans and district budget strain as reasons for the decision.
The Bristol Board of Education voted unanimously on Jan. 8 to oppose the REACH charter school application after a public hearing and extensive discussion. Commissioners and members of the public said the application did not show sufficient local community engagement, lacked necessary details on facility and cost, and raised concerns about the district’s ability to absorb potential funding and enrollment impacts.
The board heard public comment at the start of the discussion. Jennifer Benevento, a Bristol parent, told the board charter approval would divert taxpayer dollars from public schools and said the application was submitted with “little to no meaningful input from the very people it will impact, the students, parents, and teachers.”
Superintendent Iris White said the district had not been contacted directly by the REACH group beyond an initial call about hearing logistics and that the district planned to submit written comments to the Connecticut State Department of Education in advance of the state board’s decision. Chair Ponds noted the state had scheduled a second public hearing after determining one application merited a hearing.
In deliberations, several commissioners said they examined available accountability data for REACH’s New York operations and found mixed results. Commissioner Tagriello said he compared Buffalo-area results and concluded the school underperformed in English language arts while overperforming in math; he said the application did not show a demonstrated local need in Bristol and added, “So I’m a hard no on this application.” Other commissioners raised concerns that charter operators could “cherry pick” students and that the city’s current budget shortfall — discussed earlier in the meeting — made approving a new charter unwise.
A motion to approve the application was made and seconded; the resulting vote was recorded by the chair as unanimous opposition and the board did not recommend the REACH application proceed from the local level. The board and superintendent noted the state review and the second public hearing remain part of the state process.
The board directed the superintendent to submit written comments to the State Department of Education by the stated deadline and to attend the second public hearing in Bristol to represent district concerns.
Votes at a glance: REACH charter school application — motion to approve failed (0 yes, 9 no).
