Executive assembly being scheduled for later this week
The Colorado Board of Education directed Durango School District 9-R to rethink its determination declining to review Ascent Classical Academies’ charter college application forward of Aug. 1. The district and college board have mentioned Aug. 1 is their designated submission date for charter functions, however because the state board notes, the coverage clearly says “on or before” the date in query. (Durango Herald file)
Ascent Classical Academies, the charter college excited about establishing a faculty in Durango, achieved a minor victory towards Durango School District 9-R final week after the state Board of Education directed the college district to review Ascent’s charter application inside 30 days.
Ascent requested the college district to review its charter application earlier than the usual review window opens on Aug. 1, however Karen Cheser, superintendent, and the college board declined to rethink their place.
Board members mentioned the district’s coverage doesn’t enable for early review of charter functions, however Derec Shuler, CEO of Ascent Classical Academies, identified that the verbiage of the district’s coverage clearly says on or earlier than Aug. 1.
Ascent filed an enchantment to the state Board of Education in March to override the college district’s refusal to review its charter application.
The state Board of Education seems to agree with Shuler’s interpretation of the college district’s coverage about charter application submissions.
A board order signed by Angelika Schroeder, state Board of Education chairwoman, instructing Durango School District 9-R to rethink its determination about reviewing Ascent’s charter application says:
“As relevant here, the policy sets an August 1st deadline for applications but expressly allows applications ‘on or before’ that date. Further, the policy expressly states that the local board ‘shall make a decision … within 90 days after receiving the initial charter application from the charter applicant,’ and nothing in the policy suggests that the word ‘receiving’ is used in anything other than its ordinary sense. Although the State Board will give appropriate deference to the local board’s interpretation of its own policies, the interpretation urged here is unreasonable.”
Additionally, the board order says the college district’s determination to forego early review of Ascent’s charter application “was contrary to the best interests of the pupils, school district or community.”
Kim Gilmartin, director of new college improvement and outreach for Ascent, mentioned in a information launch that the Durango neighborhood has proven the charter college “overwhelming support” in its try to set up itself within the Durango space.
“We remain hopeful the district will drop its legal actions against Ascent Classical and work with us to complete a fair review to ensure a strong opening for children in the Durango Community,” she mentioned.
Gilmartin didn’t reply to a request for remark.
Karla Sluis, spokeswoman for the college district, declined to remark in regards to the improvement Tuesday. She mentioned the college board is scheduling an government session for later this week to decide its subsequent transfer. The college board will launch details about its determination after the assembly, Sluis mentioned.
cburney@durangoherald.com