July 12, 2001
Boulder Daily Camera
by Amy Bounds
The ground rules for Summit Middle School's contract negotiations with the Boulder Valley School District will stay the same, despite the charter school's appeal to the Colorado Board of Education.
The state Board of Education on Wednesday narrowly upheld the Boulder Valley school board's decisions on Summit's enrollment, funding and use of a school district building.
"Now, we're going to have to sit down and negotiate this," said Boulder Valley school board member Bill de la Cruz, who argued the school district's case. He called the decision a chance for the district to heal the rocky relationship with its first charter school while working on a new, five-year contract.
But Summit founder Jim Cederberg said the conditions set by Boulder Valley will make it difficult for Summit to continue as "one of the state's finest charter schools."
"If you wanted to cripple a charter school, this is pretty much the way to do it," he said.
After discussing each of the six conditions set by Boulder Valley, the state board voted 3-3 on overturning only two — capping enrollment and requiring the school to abide by the district's centralized open-enrollment policy, plus any new changes to the policy.
A tie means the local board's decision stands. State board member Clair Orr was absent for the hearing.
Summit requested adding 50 students each year for the next three years — for a total of 400 students — to meet demand. Instead, the school board agreed to one 50-student increase for a total of 300 students. The school enrolled 250 students in 2000-01.
Boulder Valley said Summit, currently located in the former Majestic Heights Elementary building, doesn't have space for more students without adding portable classrooms.
Another issue of contention was funding.
Summit asked for $4,236 per student, after subtracting money to pay for the central services the district provides the school. School leaders said that amount keeps Summit on equal footing with other district schools.
The district decided on $3,764 per student, based on the same funding package agreed to by the district's other four charter schools. The amount is also more than the minimum required by state law.
Summit also wanted long-term use of a district building and permission to build a temporary gym on the Majestic Heights property. The school board committed only to keeping Summit at its current site for the next school year, but agreed to renegotiate a long-term site after a study on district facility use is completed.
"The district has proven to me that their goal is not to put this school out on the street," said state board Chair Pat Chlouber. "They've done quite a bit for this charter school."