The discussion was robust and the public hearing featured 20 speakers, all opposing a proposed charter innovation school by Opportunity Education. School board members face a state-mandated deadline and must decide yes or no as to whether the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District will allow the charter.
The charter high school, named for the time being as “Fishers Prep,” would have 500-600 students when all grades are up and running. James Troupis from Opportunity Education, a nonprofit organization, made a detailed presentation before the board on what the charter school would offer.
Steve Loser, Director of K-12 Initiatives fir HSE Schools, says he would aim to recruit the 8.7% of students (K-12) in the HSE District that have already chosen a private or charter school. However, he added there would be some students at Fishers Prep already attending HSE Schools, meaning the state funding support for those students would go to the charter and leave HSE.
Loser also said he has received a legal opinion that none of the referendum money available to HSE Schools can go toward students attending the charter.
Without the Fishers Prep High School, Loser told board members it will take a much longer period of time to build a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program complimenting what already exists at HSE Schools.
The public hearing on the proposed charter featured 20 speakers, including the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) teacher bargaining team, currently negotiating a new contract with the HSE District. Although one speaker did describe a good experience with one area charter school, she and the 19 others spoke in strong opposition to the proposed Fishers Prep high school.
Loser also announced an in-person community forum on the proposed charter school Thursday, November 21, 6pm, at the Launch Fishers Theatre. Registration is encouraged, because if a number of people plan to be there, the forum could be moved to a larger venue.
So, the December 11 school board meeting looms large, with a key vote on the charter school coming from board members.
