Charter school Ok’d despite board opposition

Greater Grace proposes Internet courses

The St. Charles Parish School Board recommended at Monday’s committee meeting that the School Board oppose the state’s potential classification of Greater Grace Charter Academy (GGCA) to become as a Type 2 charter school, which became reality Tuesday.

The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved the Vacherie-based school’s application by a vote of 9-2, according to GGCA executive director Dr. Claudette Aubert.

The St. Charles Parish school board agreed to support a resolution opposing the approval in Wednesday night’s School Board meeting, a resolution that was pending board approval. The St. James-based charter school’s application was recently denied in St. James Parish. School representatives submitted two previous applications, which were also denied.  But, by law, an application can be submitted to the state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, which can override the local school board’s approval process. This worked in GGCA’s favor.

“We’re excited and I just thank God and everyone who supported us,” Aubert said. “We know we can get started now.”

According to Jim Melohn, the chief financial officer and legislative liaison for St. Charles Public Schools, the school system’s involvement stems from the concern that because status as a Type 2 Charter would allow GGCA to draw students from anywhere in the state, it wouldn’t be restricted by the boundaries of parish lines. Thus it would not only draw state funds, but also local funds, which could directly affect St. Charles Parish given the charter’s close proximity.

“Looking at what that charter school is offering, there’s nothing being offered that’s not offered in our public schools,” Melohn said. “So we don’t feel there’s a necessity for a charter school. We feel like it isn’t adding anything not already being presented by St. James or St. Charles parish.”

Melohn noted this resolution addresses GGCA specifically and not charter schools overall.

“This is developing in what is a B-rated school system and St. James Parish already has their own virtual program,” Melohn said.

Aubert countered GGCA will offer a “blended” program of virtual and on-site courses, and  despite the overall rating of the St. James school system, she believes there are some concerning trends.

“We kept looking at the scores, and one school that was a D school dropped to an F, and one school that was an A dropped to a C,” said Aubert, a longtime educator in Ascension Parish. “There are a lot of struggling, at-risk students we feel we can help.”