Tag: james dent

The usually stoic and composed James Dent, leader and co-founder behind the Navigator School brand that won over public officials in Gilroy and Hollister, was visibly shaken Wednesday night as the County Board of Education voted 4-3 to uphold Morgan Hill Unified’s decision to deny his organization’s charter petition.

The fact that the Hollister School District paid a law firm specifically to find “deficiencies” in a charter school petition underscores the sharp lines drawn in a political battle against reform models and shows that local officials - despite glaring evidence it would likely spur academic success - are steadfast against changing a failed system.

Glowing accolades from the Gilroy Unified School District Board of Education topped off a whirlwind two years for the Garlic Capital's newest charter school, which is sailing full speed ahead toward its next milestone.

A Gilroy-based charter school that this week has been touting its high API scores submitted a petition to open a similar school in Hollister for the 2013-14 school year. Gilroy Charter School Principal James Dent and another representative presented the petition during the public comment period at the Hollister School District board meeting Aug. 28.

Teachers at Gilroy's 1-year-old charter school are “thrilled,” “proud” and “validated” after learning their second-grade students received the highest projected Academic Performance Index score for an elementary school in the history of the Gilroy Unified School District.

Hollister area residents last week toured Gilroy Prep School and heard a presentation from staff officials who talked openly about plans to open a similar charter school in San Benito County.