MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The application for a charter school in Monongalia County from the West Virginia Academy has been reviewed by school officials and returned with a notice of deficiencies.
During the regular meeting of the Monongalia County Board of Education Tuesday night letters against the proposed charter school received from the Mylan Park Elementary Faculty Senate, former educator and Mon County commissioner Tom Bloom and letters from two other members of the community. There was one letter received by the board in favor of the proposal.
One of the writers cited a lack of trauma informed teaching and counseling, race education, protections for minorities and the LGBTQ community. The writer also questioned the academy’s anti-bullying policies, eliminating all recess periods and refusal to promote a student with a suspension.
“We are awaiting their response to that notification and their corrective actions,” Monongalia County Schools superintendent Dr. Eddie Campbell said,” That is due back to the board office by November 13, that’s this Friday at 4 p.m.”
President of the West Virginia Academy board, John Treu sent an email to Dr. Campbell and Preston County Schools, Stephen Wotring, dated Monday, November 9. The email said in part,” Though we believe our application has already been approved, we still intend to respond in good faith to Dr. Campbell’s letter dated October 29, 2020 within the timeline requested in his letter. Our compliance with Dr. Campbell’s request does not waive our objection to his involvement in the process, or acknowledge that the ongoing process is correct.”
The law passed by the state legislature Allows a 90 day application review period, Treu contends the 90 day clock began on July 24 when the application was submitted. The law says the deadline to submit applications is August 31, the day when school officials say the 90 review period begins.
In addition to the dispute over the review timeline, Treu also believes that the local superintendents should not be involved in the process due to a conflict of interest. Additionally, Treu says the proposed charter school would be subordinate to the board of education, not either superintendent.
Monongalia County School Board president, Nancy Walker noted the board of education cannot consider the issue on their own because it would require a motion from the secretary to board- Dr. Eddie Campbell.
“The board of education cannot take any action on anything unless the recommendation for us to have a motion and second comes from the school superintendent who is the secretary of the board of education,” Walker said.
The board of education has a special meeting planned for November 30 to address the application. November 30 is the end of the 90 day review period based on a August 31 deadline.
“Our intention is to have a special board meeting on November 30,” Dr. Campbell said,” So, we can meet the timeline for taking action on their application.”