Addressing capacity crisis with new space
An article in the Seattle Times answered a question that has been itching me: "Where will new charter schools find space in Seattle?" And a closely associated question: "Why can't the school district find space?"
Summit charter high school acquired the Asian Resource Center for about $4 million and will put their 9-12 school there. Their first freshman class will enroll 120, so I have to believe that they expect to have upwards of 450 students when they are fully enrolled. I'm sure their charter school application has the correct number.
The building had been for sale for two years.
So, help me out here. This is a downtown building suitable for use as a school that has been for sale for two years for a fraction of the cost of the Federal Reserve building, and the District had either no knowledge of it or no interest in it. Can someone explain that to me? Moreover, the building is in the International District, which is the part of downtown with the greatest number of school-age children.
Is the school district even looking for space? And, if they are not, why not? If they are, then what spaces have they considered and why did they pass on this one?
Summit charter high school acquired the Asian Resource Center for about $4 million and will put their 9-12 school there. Their first freshman class will enroll 120, so I have to believe that they expect to have upwards of 450 students when they are fully enrolled. I'm sure their charter school application has the correct number.
The building had been for sale for two years.
So, help me out here. This is a downtown building suitable for use as a school that has been for sale for two years for a fraction of the cost of the Federal Reserve building, and the District had either no knowledge of it or no interest in it. Can someone explain that to me? Moreover, the building is in the International District, which is the part of downtown with the greatest number of school-age children.
Is the school district even looking for space? And, if they are not, why not? If they are, then what spaces have they considered and why did they pass on this one?
Comments
Summit says this:
"Charter schools are designed, tailored, and governed by each local community, rather than by a central bureaucracy."
That is hilarious considering Summit is based out of and run by a central California group.
I also note that their "Summit Schools" board meetings appear to be only in Redwood City, CA.
Melissa is now choosing to confuse us with the actual facts rather than blindly accepting Aspirational Speak.
I would like to explore this issue. Can the building be bought and upgraded for $4M? Does the building belong to Pacific Charter?
I 1240 requires the school district to do major repairs. Will Seattle Public Schools be asked to help foot this bill?
For some reason, I'm filling the $4M is low and SPS will be asked to financially support this project.
Why don’t they lease space at the soon to be empty Amgen building? With its up to date science facilities, it could be a wonderful central high school, near the water, good transportation and bike trails.
I posed this question to Flip Herndon and the board. Sherry Carr answered that she had interest in this location.
However, it seems they have more interest now in the Federal Building. Asbestos anyone?
S parent
My absolute favorite one is the reservoir on NE 75th Street at 12th in the Ravenna neighborhood. The city was supposed to lid all of the reservoirs. After they lid this one, the District can build a school on it.
That would not apply here, but who knows what other justification the city and district could find to direct public funds to this charter school. I'm glad you are Watching.
Jonathan
In theory, a brand-new school could convert, getting a share of capital money even though that building would get no capital for a decade or two if it weren't a conversion. It's just one more way I-1240 is deeply flawed.
NoCharters
Jefferson Park even has some hills. I can't say whether those hills are directly over the former reservoir space or not, but they must be at least as heavy as any building.
I don't think it's an extraordinary engineering challenge to make the lid strong enough to support a one- or two-story building. It only needs to be as strong as the foundation for a three-story building.
http://info.kingcounty.gov/Assessor/eRealProperty/Detail.aspx?ParcelNbr=8170100225
http://146.129.54.93:8193/imgcache/OPR2707266-1-1.pdf
It is interesting to note that a once private school- First Place- became a charter school.
Now, we have a charter school own a building. I see NO reason why a charter school, even if not publicly owned, would not want to attempt public funds for major repairs.
I guess we should keep "Watching"
Let's not forget that First Place wanted to work with SPS regarding technology. Why would Summit be any different?
So, we have charter schools taking time and attention away from SPS administrators.
Keep Watching....:)
-south end parent
"I 1240 requires the school district to do major repairs. Will Seattle Public Schools be asked to help foot this bill?"
That is incorrect. That ONLY happens if it is an SPS building that has been acquired thru a petition takeover. This is not the case here and the district has zero responsibility.
Who will this charter serve? I would guess they are trying to be competition for Cleveland or RBHS.
As I have noted previously, the Gates Foundation has created a capital fund group for charters in the Puget Sound region. Will they help will all repairs/renovations? Uncertain. A charter certainly could apply for state funds that are set aside for capital repairs for public schools.
Again, I wait for the Supreme Court ruling. That it is taking this long would seem to mean that the Court may be divided.
As someone in this neighborhood near the 75th reservoir, I don't want it used for a school.
It will be interesting to see how City Council district elections play out for these issues.
http://www.seattle.gov/financedepartment/0510adoptedcip/05-10_WF_SPU_Adopted_Narrative_Final.pdf
resident
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 223. FACILITIES. (1) Charter schools are eligible for state matching funds for common school construction."
It is interesting to note that I 1240 is silent on private schools converting to charter schools, yet, it happened.
Reader
I think it would take a lot for someone to jump ship and risk the new school, but I also know there are a number of HCC kids who are very poorly served by the current program/services. While the new charter is certainly not for everyone, it has the potential to be a great fit for some.
HIMSmom
-Rare Commenter.
No idea why the city or district couldn't have ponied to keep this building a resource for the ID. Close to negligent in my book for community and educational planning. Flat out stinks that Gates bought it and brought in a charter.
ChartersNo
resident
Okay, so let's go over what we do know.
- First, the words "private school" do not even appear in I-1240 so that should have been a dead giveaway from the start. I was told by the BOE that yes, "the statute is indeed silent on this issue." They aren't saying it's a omission but I believe it is a deliberate one.
- The private school has to be a 501c3 (or create one).
The private school cannot be religious or sectarian (but that doesn't mean they might not be able to get around that issue - many private to charter schools in other states have, to some degree).
- The new charter cannot accept any gifts or donations from a religious or sectarian group.
First Place was a very different case; they were private but no one was paying tuition. It was something of a hybrid-funded private school.
ChartersNo, the Summit parents who come out hard are paid to come to new areas to say that. I confront one such person (this one from Green Dot but Summit does it as well) and asked her, "Was your airfare and hotel paid for you to come here and make these statements?" "Yes, but..."
Were you paid to be here?" She walked away.
Look, parents like most schools so in ANY given school, you'll find supporters.
Also, here's the link to a Stranger article by lawyer Hugh Spitzer on why the 1240 challenge is so strong:
http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/10/11/charter-schools-initiative-may-be-deep-sixed-by-legal-challenge
"Most important, Initiative 1240 contains defects that run afoul of at least two state constitutional provisions.
In 1909, Washington’s supreme court held that money from the Common School Fund may be sent to “common schools” but to no other schools—including other publicly-operated schools."
"Justice Stephen Chadwick wrote that a common school must not only be open to all children but must also be “subject to and under the control of the qualified voters of the school district. The complete control of the schools is a most important feature, for it carries with it the right of the voters, through their chosen agents, to selected qualified teachers, with powers to discharge them if they are incompetent.” Justice Chadwick pointedly added that the Legislature’s calling a school a “common school” didn’t make it one."
The other constitutional defect in the proposal is a provision granting the non-profit charter school corporations the right to purchase or rent school district and certain other public property at below fair market value. Unless the courts ruled that these corporations, with their privately-appointed boards, were actually governmental entities, the below-market sale or lease of public property to these charter schools would violate the State Constitution’s ban on gifts of public funds to the private sector.
Let's remember: We are still awaiting the Supreme Court decision.
It would be interesting to know whether or not this charter has asked the state for funding. If the Supreme Court rules I 1240 unconstitutional...will Summit return these dollars? After all, SPS is in the midst of a capacity crisis and we are reliant upon levy dollars.
FWIW...The Supreme Court issues it's opinions on Thursdays. I keep waiting and Watching...;)
Crossing my fingers for THIS Thursday. Again, I think this long delay has meaning.
By several un-official reports, only a handful of siblings secured choice seats during open enrollment and all other students were wait listed at the time of open enrollment. According to a letter sent to the Garfield PTSA, Franklin was the ONLY comprehensive high school that accepted students last year off of the wait list.
Therefore, families can reasonably expect that if you don't want your assignment school for some reason, that your only viable option is a choice school - Nova, Center or Cleveland. As such, one might imagine that a charter high school like Summit, might quickly become the "safety school" for students looking for an alternative.
The property is owned by Seattle Public Utilities. Under law it is required to sell the property at fair market value, so the school district would have to pay for the site. I spoke briefly to Flip Herndon, the district is well aware of the location. I live nearby and would love an elementary school there, as we are far from both Wedgwood and Bryant, the two closest public schools.
After what SPS went through over the trees on the Ingraham HS property (construction delays, due to protests over tree cutting), I don't think they would be interested in the Waldo Woods property.
- North-end Mom
- North-end Mom
SPS didn't own the building they owned the land and tore down the old Gatzert to sell the land to pay for part of the "New Gatzert"...
-History