Pocono News Section

Charter School Controversy

Charter School Controversy - Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 4:22PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Tuesday, May 27, 2008 @ 04:22pm EST
COOLBAUGH TOWNSHIP - Controversy is building over a charter school in the Poconos. In July the Pocono Mountain School District will hold a meeting to decide whether or not to shut down the Pocono Mountain Charter School for allegedly breaking rules. Some parents agree, something needs to change.

Liz Claffey's daughter came home with an excellent report card but Liz was furious. She explained, "It shows that she's doing excellent, she's almost an honor roll student, but in actuality she's not."

Her daughter, Lacey, is an eighth grader at Pocono Mountain Charter School. Liz says she has trouble understanding work at her grade level. She shared one of her daughter's assignments. Only a few questions were answered correctly and Liz believes the teacher gave her those.

Liz said the problems started when the school took her daughter out of the special education program. But school officials say they know what they're doing. Special Education Supervisor Helena Schneider said, "The state found us in complete compliance with their Special Ed regulations."

Liz believes that the school is pushing kids through class so it can stay open and get more tax money. The principal John Severs responded, "If that's the perception in the parent's mind, then their perception is their reality. It's not our perception and we don't see it that way."

Liz says now she's torn. She likes the smaller class sizes at the charter school but also needs her daughter to learn. She hopes the district comes up with a plan that allows the school to remain open, with supervision.

She said, "Fix it. Don't throw it out."

The charter school has about 400 students. There will be a parents meeting to discuss its future Tuesday night at seven at the school building.