Typically, a community will consider forming a charter school when a group of parents and educators believes the public schools are doing a poor job of educating local children.
But surely that is not the case in Derry, where two middle school assistant principals have proposed a charter school alternative to Pinkerton Academy.
Pinkerton, a private school that serves under contract as the high school for Derry, Hampstead and Chester as well as for students from other communities, has an excellent reputation. But the charter proposal's supporters say the school is so large it may be daunting for some students.
"Some students may be better served in a smaller environment," said Joe Crawford, who along with fellow assistant principal Justin Krieger presented the charter school proposal to the School Board Jan. 3.
The charter school proponents had plenty of information to present to the School Board. But one crucial detail was missing: cost.
If the charter school supporters can make their plans work for a reasonable cost to Derry taxpayers, then the proposal merits strong consideration.
Derry taxpayers already are paying a hefty price to educate the community's children. The school budget for the current year, which includes state funding support, is just over $78 million. Taxpayers are unlikely to support a charter school plan that adds significantly to that figure.
Charter school supporters should be able to make their finances work. There will be no need to construct any kind of building; they plan to use three large classrooms in the Gilbert H. Hood Middle School, a space formerly occupied by the Derry Early Education Program.
Charter schools are public schools operating under a board of trustees. They do not charge tuition. Charter schools have less procedural bureaucracy than a more traditional public high school, according to Krieger and Crawford.
There is a lot of enthusiasm for the charter school proposal.
Crawford said Pinkerton Academy supports the plan.
"It's a partnership we want to enter into to meet the needs of all students," he said.
So, too, does Derry School Superintendent Mary Ellen Hannon. The curriculum at the charter school would include more individualized learning and real-world applications for what lies ahead after high school.
Hannon told our reporter a charter school atmosphere would be a "huge benefit" to students who struggle in a regular high school setting.
"We are looking for kids who may be struggling to fit in," Hannon said. "(This is for) kids not successful in a traditional public school."
School Board member Ken Linehan said he supports the charter plan.
"There is no down side to this, it's helping our kids," he said. "I'm excited."
The school would start small with a projected 30 students in its first year, which could be as soon as the fall of 2013. The school would be expected to grow to 90 students within five years.
Contrast that figure to the projected enrollment at Pinkerton Academy in 2012-2013 of 3,060.
The charter school would have to be approved by Derry voters, then the plan would be submitted to the state.
Derry residents will have to wait for an estimate of the cost of operating the charter school. If the price is right, it seems like a worthy idea.
