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Parents and staff urge renewal of CCLA charter as board seeks details on proposed 9–12 expansion and virtual high‑school model
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Summary
At a public hearing on CCLA's charter renewal, dozens of parents, students and teachers urged the board to renew and preserve the TK–8 bilingual program; trustees pressed presenters for more detail on the proposed 9–12 senior high model, use of virtual coursework and enrollment/funding implications.
The Santa Rosa City School Board opened a public hearing April 22 on the Santa Rosa Language Academy (CCLA/CCLA) charter renewal and material revisions that would expand the dual‑language program toward a TK–12 model.
Interim Principal Gabriela Mendoza Torres and charter committee members described current programming (TK–8 dual language with about 761 students) and proposed updates including a plan to offer more Spanish instruction in grades 7–8, an expansion to include high‑school options via a hybrid/virtual model (platforms discussed included Ingenuity/Edgenuity), and removal of a geographic lottery preference.
More than 40 speakers — including students, parents, teachers and district leaders — addressed the board in support of the charter. Students and parents described bilingualism and the band program as central assets; a parent said the charter “shapes thoughtful, culturally grounded students.” Teachers and CCLA staff emphasized research showing TK–8 continuity supports biliteracy.
Trustees questioned whether the senior high proposal contains sufficient operational detail. Trustee Kirby, among others, asked how the in‑person/virtual combination would work when space at nearby SRCS high schools is limited and how average daily attendance (ADA) and funding would flow if a CCLA student takes classes on another campus. Superintendent August and charter presenters said CCLA students would remain enrolled at CCLA (so ADA would go to CCLA) and that prorated funding would be paid to partner campuses for onsite use; staff acknowledged specifics on staffing, textbooks and program management would be developed and returned to the board at a later hearing.
Several trustees and community members urged removing neighborhood preference language to preserve fairness and reduce conflict; presenters said that section will be revisited by legal counsel. The board did not take action and requested more detailed implementation information before a subsequent hearing and final action.
