West Virginia’s newly-formed Professional Charter Schools Board started assessing its seven applicants, leading into a final determination period of about a month.
“My hope is that we make our determinations, as many as we can, on Nov. 10,” said Adam Kissel, chairman of the West Virginia Professional Charter Schools Board.
The board, which met this morning via teleconference, is also searching for an executive director.
West Virginia has no charter schools so far, after passing a state law allowing them in 2019. Charter schools would receive financial support from the state’s public education system and would be given greater operational latitude in exchange for the possibility of losing their right to operate if they fail.
The Legislature this year expanded that law to allow more charter schools and to expand the ways they could apply or appeal.
House Bill 2012 increased the number of locally-operating charter schools that could be approved in a three-year period from three to 10. And it laid the groundwork for charter schools that would operate virtually.
Previously, county school boards were authorizers for charter schools. The bill added a West Virginia Professional Charter School Board as an authorizer.
Last week, a lawsuit was filed to challenge the constitutionality of the Professional Charter Schools Board.
The legal challenge is based on a portion of the state Constitution that says “no independent free school district, or organization shall hereafter be created, except with the consent of the school district or districts out of which the same is to be created, expressed by a majority of the voters voting on the question.”
The lawsuit contends the current path for charter school approval steers around that requirement.
In the meantime, members of the Professional Charter Schools Board have been reviewing applications, participating in public hearings and preparing more detailed analysis on seven applicants. They include:
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- West Virginia Academy, which is a brick and mortar proposal in Cheat Lake area around Morgantown. This was the only applicant last year, eventually being rejected by the Monongalia and Preston County school boards. “I was really impressed with them myself. I think they have a strong understanding of what’s expected and what they need to do to be successful,” said Dewayne Duncan, a Kanawha County real estate developer who serves on the Professional Charter Schools Board.
- West Virginia Virtual Academy would open a K-12 virtual school. Kissel described a career-technical education focus. Duncan observed, “During the interview they were very knowledgeable. I really believe their program will positively affect West Virginia students, or could.”
- West Virginia Connections Academy is another virtual charter school applicant. Kissel said he has provided feedback to this applicant and others about ensuring the private company associated with the applicant attends to the civil and constitutional rights of faculty, students and staff.
- Eastern Panhandle Preparatory Academy prompted some comments about the ability to compete financially in a growing region. “My one concern in their application is their salary region. I think they need to fine-tune that if we’re going to be competitive not just locally but regionally,” said Karen Bailey-Chapman, owner of public relations firm KB Advocacy in Jefferson County and a board member of the libertarian Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy.
- Nitro Preparatory Academy, another brick-and-mortar school, prompted discussion of whether its board represents the community so far. “I would like to see this board get more involved. I’d like to see a more active role that they’re having,” said Duncan. Kissel agreed, pointing to a requirement that governing boards have parental representation. “There are at least two applicants, including this one, where future parents who would be expecting to have their kids in the school are not yet on the board,” Kissel said.
- Virtual Preparatory Academy of West Virginia would be a virtual public charter school. “I thought their presentation as really strong with the public meeting,” said Bailey-Chapman. The academy’s presentation to the public drew additional praise. “What they’ve also done is walked us through what a day in the life of a student at a certain grade would be. I think that was helpful,” Kissel said.
- Shepherd Aviation Academy would blend aviation training with STEM education. “Shepherd is going to be something we can look to in the future because they are really excited about that dual enrollment possibility there,” Duncan said. Kissel praised the blend of aviation training with math and science skills. “To me one of the most innovative is the idea of STEM with aviation.” He added, “A student says ‘Maybe I’m not ready for aviation after all;’ they can still receive a terrific STEM education.”