Board approves Harvest Commons charter application after presentations and public support

The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board voted to accept the Harvest Commons charter application during its Jan. 8 meeting, after presentations from the applicants, questions from board members and public comment from local partners.

Harvest Commons founder Sarah Schnauder (presented as Sarah Shouter in the transcript) and founding principal Candace Wright described a K–5, farm- and project-based instructional model, which they said emphasizes Tier I instruction, differentiated small-group supports, frequent professional development (80 hours before year one) and partnerships for therapy and special-education supports. The applicants said the school plans to serve students across East Baton Rouge Parish, with a projected full capacity of 424 students and a focus on students who learn differently, including economically disadvantaged children, English learners and students with disabilities.

In public comment, representatives of Southern University’s Ag Center and local educators and advocates urged approval, citing existing partnerships and the potential to serve neurodivergent learners. Opponents raised timing and fiscal concerns tied to recent school closures and asked whether program elements could be deployed within district schools instead of a separate charter.

Board members pressed applicants on financial mitigation planning, principal qualifications and proposed facilities. Harvest Commons representatives said they used conservative budgeting (limited grant assumptions), a variable budget model and planned to partner with the district for services such as child nutrition and transportation; they identified South Boulevard as a potential site.

After discussion, a motion to approve the Harvest Commons application carried. The board asked the applicants to coordinate with district staff about facilities and next steps.