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Founders describe Wellhart Charter Public School plan to open K–8 this fall; board hears informational presentation
Summary
Founding board member Emily Weedy presented a nonbinding informational overview of Wellhart Charter Public School, telling the Planning Board the K–8 program plans to open this fall with about 60–80 students, uses a Reggio Emilia philosophy and a hybrid attendance model; state review and fire-marshal work are pending.
The Merrimack Planning Board heard a nonbinding informational presentation (RSA 674:54) on May 6 from representatives of Wellhart Charter Public School about plans to open a K–8 charter this fall at space in Saint James Church. Emily Weedy, founding board member and academic chair, said the school plans to start small — "about 60 to 80 students" — and already has more than 60 students on its roster since opening enrollment last week.
Weedy described the school’s pedagogy as Reggio Emilia–inspired, focusing on project‑based, nature‑based and wellness learning. She said the program will offer flexible models (two, three or five days on-site) to accommodate families and will run roughly 08:30–14:30 with anticipated staffing of seven to ten people for the initial enrollment. Weedy said she met with the fire marshal and that the state Department of Education review is expected to occur before opening.
Board members asked about coordination with the Merrimack Police Department, capacity limits and whether the church facility would require playground or other site changes; Weedy said the site already includes playground equipment and that the school does not plan to add major site improvements at this time. The board thanked the presenters; because this was a governmental use informational presentation, no permits or approvals were requested or required from the Planning Board at this meeting.
