[Baltimore Sun] Anne Arundel Board of Education unanimously renews contract for 2 charter schools
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The Anne Arundel Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to renew the seven-year charter contracts for Monarch Academy Annapolis and Chesapeake Science Point Charter School.
“Not only is there the value add that these programs are bringing to the school district, but also the ability for these leaders to prepare future leaders that are going to have a larger impact overall on our community,” said Superintendent Mark Bedell, who recommended both contracts be renewed.
Charter schools are public schools that operate independently. They are publicly funded but are governed by a charter — a contract outlining the school’s mission, programs, students, performance goals and methods.
“One of the things that charter schools are intended to do is to offer opportunities for practices that can then be shared,” said Joanna Bache Tobin, who reviewed charter schools professionally prior to her time on the board.
Monarch Academy Annapolis is a free public contract and community school with small class sizes, Spanish immersion, and International Baccalaureate authorization. It currently has 634 students ranging from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school’s population is majority Black, 74% of students are enrolled in the free and reduced-price lunch program and 51% come from areas that would attend Annapolis High School.
“We are an IB [International Baccalaureate] school, which allows our students and our teachers to be extremely creative, and we are growing and growing, and we’re excited about that,” Principal Shae Johnson told the board.
With the charter starting just seven years ago, Monarch Academy’s oldest students are graduating high school in the spring.
Chesapeake Science Point encompasses elementary, middle and high school grades, with a majority Black population. Students can take honors and Advanced Placement classes and STEM-based courses. Its graduation rate has been 100% for the past four years.
“I’m truly proud of the heart of our teachers, of our staff, of our students in our school community, and we want to continue to make sure at CSP that we’re providing access and opportunity for all of our students to feel like they’re able to belong, grow and succeed,” Principal Dwight Jefferson said to the board.
This was also the last Board of Education meeting for Corine Frank, Melissa Ellis and Michelle Corkadel. The remaining board members were reelected and will be joined by newly elected members Erica McFarland, Dawn Pulliam and Sarah McDermott for a swearing-in ceremony on Dec. 2.
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