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Board denies Mission Preparatory charter petition after contested public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing with 15 speakers largely supporting the proposal, staff recommended denying the Mission Preparatory School charter petition on statutory grounds; the board voted to deny the petition based on staff findings that petitioners were "demonstrably unlikely" to implement the program under Education Code standards.
The San Francisco Board of Education heard extensive public testimony before voting to deny the Mission Preparatory School charter petition.
Staff recommendation and legal basis: Mary Richards, who read the superintendent's recommendation, told the board that district staff had reviewed the petition and prepared a statement of factual findings pursuant to the California Education Code. The written recommendation cites Education Code standards (procedure drawn from the charter petition review statute) and concludes the Mission Preparatory petition "should be denied as the petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition." Richards read the staff findings and noted the recommendation included an amended resolution and attachments required by law.
Public support and testimony: Fifteen speakers — including alumni, credentialed educators and founding board members — urged approval. Olga Milan Howells (a parent and Mission High graduate) described Mission Prep as a targeted option for underserved immigrant students and urged the board to "bring us closer to narrowing the achievement gap." Other supporters (Rob Strain, Marilana Guadamuz, founding board members and community organizations such as 826 Valencia and Youth Speaks) emphasized the school's literacy focus, extended school day and professional development plans.
Board deliberation and vote: Board members thanked petitioners for outreach and acknowledged the district's concerns about curriculum for English language learners, staffing plans and financial assumptions cited by staff. After deliberation the board adopted the superintendent's recommendation to deny the petition; the roll call on the motion was recorded as 5 ayes.
Why it matters: The denial prevents Mission Preparatory from opening under its proposed charter for the 2010–2011 planning year. Staff noted the legal requirement to present a written statement of findings when denying a charter petition and referenced Education Code procedures. Petition organizers were advised of appeal options and next steps, including possible state-level remedies if they pursue them.
