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Board grants two 5 Keys charter petitions to expand adult and independence high programs
Summary
The board granted petitions for two 5 Keys charter expansions—an adult charter and an Independence High—after staff review and public testimony from the Sheriff's Office and program leaders describing graduations and student success.
The Board of Education approved two charter petitions from 5 Keys on June 24, allowing the expansion of its adult education and independent-study high school programs to serve incarcerated and recently released students and to begin operations for the 2008-09 school year.
District staff presented their reviews and both Curriculum and Budget committees gave positive recommendations. Sheriff Michael Hennessy and 5 Keys leadership described the program's work inside the county jail and the value of offering high-school completion opportunities to people recently released from custody; Hennessy said a graduation had taken place that day and praised the program's transformational effect. Steve Good (executive director) read an excerpt from a graduate's speech describing using incarceration time to finish school and honoring the cap and gown.
Board members underscored the program's benefits and several said their visits reinforced a positive impression of 5 Keys' work. The measures passed on separate roll-call votes; staff noted that if a petition is granted, the charter must execute an annual memorandum of understanding with the district before commencing operations.
District staff will proceed with the administrative steps required by the charters' terms and conditions, including negotiating the MOU and verifying compliance with local, state and federal requirements before operations begin in August 2008.
