In May of 2007, work began on a dream with the start of the application process. That dream is to have another public school choice for Union County ... a different kind of school in which the parents and the teachers will have a more direct role in its operation ... a school that will be fully accountable to the S.C. Public Charter School District, the state, parents, and to this community while being free from many of the bureaucratic constraints that prevent traditional public schools from providing a superior education ... a school that will allow innovation in the classroom and will allow teachers and administrators more freedom to lead the way to excellence in education ... a tuition free public charter school for Union County ... Jonesville Lockhart Charter School. Thank you to all of you who continue to support this dream. Your support, patience and persistence continue to be appreciated. We would not have made it this far without the parents, educators, and community members who have shared in this vision.
The most recent PACT, SAT and ACT scores from Union County serve as testimony that we must find a way to improve the education of our children. They speak volumes about why we believe the system needs to be changed and that parents need to step up to take responsibility for their children's education by working with teachers in a cooperative way. We have the right to try a new way. Buildings do not teach children. What goes inside the classroom and at home is what counts. Underperforming systems in new buildings are not the cure to our educational problems. We believe good educators and good students are trapped in an underperforming system. Research shows there are better ways that we have brought together for this school.
Funding is currently limited in schools within the S.C. Public Charter School District. There are no local tax dollars, bonds, state-provided transportation, or funding for facilities given to charter schools within the SCPCSD. All funding (state and federal) comes in on a per pupil basis ... unfortunately far less than that of a traditional public school child. Creativity has been the key to finding a financially feasible plan for a new public charter school. We have done that. This plan also offers the educators state benefits and state retirement.
This past Saturday, at an advertised public meeting at Oakbrook Community Church in Jonesville, we unveiled a plan to open a charter school in August 2009 ... the only plan to date that would work financially in order to have a tuition free public charter school in Union County for 2009. In an effort to minimize facility costs, the school will be located in the Town of Jonesville and make use of a renovated Jonesville Armory (gym), Oakbrook Community Church (auditorium and parking), the Mack Cunningham Sports Complex, local utilities including sewer, and modular units for classroom space. Facilities will be funded through Self-Directed IRAs and other investments of which nearly half of the approximately $1.6 million needed has already been pledged toward the effort.
This plan works with an enrollment 400 students at the school. Over 250 students have enrolled so far. Buses have been included in the budget for transportation and the school will qualify for the USDA free and reduced lunch program for students. Short of a multi-million dollar donation in the next few days to make Kelly/Kelton possible, the Jonesville site is the only feasible location for 2009 and is seven minutes away from the original site.
Kelly/Kelton remains a goal when the financing makes it possible. Oakbrook will also be the site of a legally approved Released Time program where students on a voluntary basis may receive religious instruction for school credit. During the school day, if the parents authorize, pastors and certified teachers off campus may teach the Bible to students as SC and Federal laws allow. We believe many parents would appreciate this unique opportunity.
We still need you-our supporters, parents, and community members. A facility without students is not a school. If there is ever to be a tuition free public school choice in Union County, now is the time. Do you want a choice? If you are interested in a different kind of school for your children, contact us and visit our website at www.jonesvillelockhart.org.
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Mark Sanders is chairman of the facilities subcommittee for the Jonesville Lockhart Charter School governing board; Miller is chairman of the business subcommittee.
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