With conditions, Morgan Hill School District approves charter
for another five years
Morgan Hill – For another five years, the Charter School of Morgan Hill will continue to offer a choice in education for the community, thanks to the renewal of the school’s charter by School District trustees after CSMH officials scrambled to make changes requested by trustees in their original proposal and Memorandum of Understanding.
A standing-room only crowd filled the board room to hear the trustees’ decision Tuesday night, and the unanimous vote drew cheers and a hearty round of applause.
“I’m really excited,” CSMH Principal Paige Cisewski said Friday. “I’m looking forward to continuing to grow and offer a choice for families in public education hopefully beyond that five years. We’re going to work together with the district as a team to continue to improve the quality of public education in our community.”
Though Cisewski said she had had no doubt the district would renew the charter, trustees had expressed concerns about the diversity of the schools’ population and the financial position of the school.
“My issues really centered around the two highlighted,” Trustee Don Moody said. “It seems as though you really addressed the financial issue, and I’m comfortable with that. I’m confident that the intentions are good (in the diversity issue).”
Trustees were concerned that the percentage of Hispanic students, for example, in the school’s population was not even close to the districtwide ratio of 40 percent. According to California charter school law, the ethnic and racial makeup of charter schools should mirror that of the community it resides in.
Another concern was the school’s financial health. The Charter School operated in a deficit and had no reserves. State law suggests that a school of its size reserve between 3 and 5 percent of its general fund.
Trustees are requesting 4 percent, but have agreed to accept 1 percent by the end of the school year with the percentage increasing by one each year for the next three years.
“Actually when you look at our budget, we’re in by far the best financial shape we’ve ever been,” Cisewski said. “This year we’ll be paying off our state start-up loan, and that will make a huge difference. But I think what we’re seeing is that we have a new CPA person, and she’s taking a lot of one-time write-offs, I think they call them … She’s just making our budget a little bit cleaner. We’re in the best shape we’ve ever been in. And, of course, it helps that Governor Schwarzenegger is looking at funding education a little more.”
To improve the diversity of the student population, Cisewski said school officials are working on partnerships with agencies such as the El Toro Youth Center, Go Kids and the Loving and Learning Center.
“There are a variety of things we are doing, including some upcoming parent information nights, to reach out to the entire community,” she added.
CSMH seventh grader Cassandra Valenzuela attended the meeting Tuesday night to urge trustees to renew the charter.
“We have small classes so I can get the extra help I need,” she said. “I know all the teachers. I like the fact that the younger kids are on the same campus as us … The Charter School allows me to do things I cannot do at other schools, all in a small environment and hands-on learning. The teachers are very approachable, they are there for me, if I just need to talk.”
