Six San Fernando Valley schools will convert this fall to charter campuses, using a hybrid reform model that grants them more flexibility while maintaining some links to Los Angeles Unified.
Without discussion, the school board voted unanimously Tuesday to grant affiliated charter status to Beckford, Calabash, Pomelo, Sherman Oaks and Welby Way elementary schools and Hale Middle School.
Like the increasingly popular independent charters, affiliated charters are free from curriculum and scheduling guidelines imposed by the district.
However, they continue to receive services from the district, and their teachers and staff work under existing labor contracts.
They can also qualify for state grants earmarked for charter schools, allotting them some $400 more per student.
"These schools are taking advantage of the autonomies we can provide with this model, not only to survive but to thrive," said Jose Cole Gutierrez, executive director of LAUSD's charter office.
One of the educators at one of the the new affiliated charters said money was not the only reason she applied for the change.
Beckford Elementary Principal Shelly Brower said the school will be able to reach maximum enrollment because she'll now be able to register students from outside traditional
attendance boundaries through a lottery process.Brower also said she'll be able to expand arts, music, science and technology programs next year that otherwise would have been decimated by the cash-strapped district.
Source: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_18130748?source=rss
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