Senior cabinet members of the Gilroy Unified School District
issued a resolution approving the charter petition of Gilroy Prep
Charter School, which was presented to GUSD board members for a
final vote Thursday night.
Senior cabinet members of the Gilroy Unified School District issued a resolution approving the charter petition of Gilroy Prep Charter School, which was presented to GUSD board members for a final vote Thursday night.
The resolution was made public on the GUSD’s website at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 11.
“We’ve been working on the budget for them for well over a month,” said GUSD superintendent Deborah Flores. “We narrowed concerns way down from what initially we had when we received the first budget … at this point, we’re prepared to recommend the board approves it, with conditions outlined.”
The resolution states the district’s approval for the charter’s petition, stipulating a two-year operating period commencing July 1, 2011 and continuing through June 30, 2013.
Additional stipulations listed in the resolution include mandating a Memorandum of Understanding between charter founders and the GUSD – regarding logistics such as fees, costs and expenses, and the allocation of facilities; plus an enrollment clause stating the charter must have 60 students for each level of kindergarten, first and second grades.
Come June 30, 2013, the resolution provides if the board observes Gilroy Prep School has satisfied its commitments to students, and is in compliance with the terms of the petition, parties will facilitate renewal procedures for the school.
Gilroy Prep’s petitioners include founders Sharon Waller, a speech therapist at Luigi Aprea Elementary School, and colleagues Karen Humber and Kristyn Corley.
“Unless something crazy happens, they’ll vote yes,” said Waller, breaking down the steps.
Waller understood the board still needed to officially vote “yes” on the petition, but was greatly encouraged by what Flores and her administration team came up with in writing.
“We’ve been waiting for her official recommendation,” said Waller. “And that’s my take on what she’s recommending.”
GUSD board member Denise Apuzzo said Wednesday she thinks the board is going to approve the charter school.
“I was ready to go last time,” she said. “I’m still in favor.”
Waller added a number of board members told her Flores’ resolution was what they were waiting for.
“So to us, it’s a yes,” said Waller.
To read the boards’ final vote, check back Friday at www.gilroydispatch.com.
