Students testify about charter schools bill

Thursday, March 25, 1999 | 10:29 a.m.

But public education officials raised a number of concerns with the measure at a legislative hearing Wednesday.

SB258, requested by Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks, allows for unlimited charter schools, creates a state commission to authorize their development, allows the conversion of public schools to charter schools and lets teachers at charter schools negotiate for pay and benefits.

The bill, heard by the Senate Finance Committee, brought a number of students from the I Can Do Anything charter high school in Reno to testify. The state's only charter school opened in the fall.

"When I walked into the school it was like a second home," said student Tia Guenther. "The teachers have helped me tremendously."

Guenther told the panel the Washoe County School District was reluctant to admit her to a traditional high school when she decided to attend high school again after having dropped out.

Jordan Anderson said his grade point average went from 0.87 to 3.27 after enrolling in the school.

Margaret Williamson, superintendent of the school, said 170 students are enrolled and the school placed fourth among Washoe County high schools in standardized tests taken in the fall.

Nevada's charter school law took effect in 1997. There have been some complaints from parents wishing to start charter schools that the law is too restrictive.

Several more groups, including at least two in Clark County, have applied for charters to start schools this fall.

But Bob McCord, representing the Clark County School District, asked what would happen to public school students if their school were converted and they wanted to remain in the public system.

He added the bill also doesn't show how a charter school in a public school building might transition back to a public school.

"This legislation requires considerable attention before it can be enacted," McCord said.

Henry Etchemendy, representing the Nevada Association of School Boards, questioned the need to allow unlimited charter schools, given that the limits in the 1997 bill are not being reached.

"There is no track record established whatsoever," he said.