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EDUCATION Needs improvement Medford School Board raises issues in Valley School's charter proposal Comment By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 23, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 23, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News There was standing room only Monday night at the Medford School Board meeting, where nearly 100 community members gathered to show their support for The Valley School of Southern Oregon, a proposed Montessori-based public charter school for sixth- through eighth-graders. But in a work session before the hearing, the Medford School Board expressed concerns that Valley School organizers didn't have enough money to start a school, hadn't budgeted for technology and appeared to be trying to "skim for cream" of gifted students for their enrollment — concerns organizers promised to address in the coming weeks. About a dozen parents, educators and youths spoke during the public hearing, and some submitted letters from others who could not be present. “Just as the one-size-fits-all mentality doesn't make sense in the world of tennis shoes and swimwear, it doesn't make sense in education,” said mother Cecily Spencer. Although all five of her children attend schools in the Medford School District, Spencer said one of her sons would benefit from the project-based learning and individualized instruction provided under a Montessori education. “I’m inexpressibly hopeful at the prospect of sending my son to The Valley School,” she told the School Board. District officials accepted The Valley School’s third charter proposal April 3. The 519-page proposal, which is available for review on the district’s website, includes the school’s mission, curriculum overview, enrollment policies and proposed budget. According to its organizers, The Valley School would offer a middle-school experience that emphasizes project-based learning strategies and science, technology, engineering and math curriculum and would encourage students to take responsibility for their education. They hope to open the school next fall to 75 middle-schoolers. The Montessori model promotes a love of learning, engages students who would otherwise be bored in a traditional classroom setting and allows students to learn at their own pace, said educators from Medford Montessori School during the public hearing. Other community members said a public Montessori middle school would enrich the community through the students' volunteer work and would provide an option for parents of gifted students who couldn't afford private school or commit to homeschooling their child. Mike Bowman of Talent, the ex-husband of Andrea Dabbs-Partsafas, chairwoman of The Valley School Board, said his fifth-grade son attends Abraham Lincoln Elementary and has been identified by the district as a talented and gifted student. “He is bored,” Bowman said Tuesday. “He is not challenged. I don’t want to blame anyone for that, but there are other models out there. “It’s one thing to learn angles and measurements, but it’s another thing to build something,” he said. “Project-based learning really works.” The Medford board now has until May 20 — 30 days from the public hearing — to decide whether to sponsor a three-year charter with the school. In the work session before the hearing, the Medford School Board told members of The Valley School board and steering committee they were concerned that the proposal and intent-to-enroll form seemed to “skim for cream,” or target families of TAG students, private school students and students with Montessori experience. “We definitely don’t want to skim for cream,” said Amy Maukonen, founder and director of the proposed school. “We want to provide a Montessori experience for more students.” “That definitely did not come across,” responded Medford School Board Chairman Jeff Thomas, who described the language as “exclusive.” “For me, there would have to be a lot of changes before I would even consider a ‘yes’ vote,” he said. Board member Tricia Prendergast said that while she likes the Montessori-style of education, The Valley School's proposal seemed to invite “students with strong capabilities,” while just meeting the requirements for disadvantaged students. “I just want some assurance that if there is this charter school that its population will look like the population at all of our other schools,” she said Tuesday. The six-page letter of intent, which asks parents whether their child has had experience in a Montessori classroom and what aspects of the Montessori teaching style will benefit their child, also could be a barrier for some families, she said. Dabbs-Partsafas reminded the board that the letter of intent is not an application and that enrollment will be decided by a "blind" public lottery. The school’s steering committee and board also have translated their materials into Spanish for English Language Learners and got feedback from the Southern Oregon Education Service District regarding migrant education, among other things. Medford board members also felt that the school’s current balance of nearly $25,000 and start-up goal of $66,000 was insufficient. “I’m not sure how they are going to be able to secure a location, remodel the location, furnish the location and buy all the technology … and have enough for several months of payroll,” Thomas said Tuesday. The Valley School's board members explained that several grants are contingent on the school getting district sponsorship, and community members may not be willing to invest in a school until they know their child will be enrolled there. Nonetheless, Dabbs-Partsafas said Valley School supporters would continue to appeal to the community for additional funding. The school expects to receive a percentage of its state funding this summer but is clarifying the timeline with the Oregon Department of Education. Medford board member Sally Killen said that not enough had been budgeted for computers and other technology necessary for implementing a strong STEM program. The Montessori grading practice of awarding an M for "mastery," PR for "progressing toward mastery," EM for "emerging skill," and NE for "not exposed" would make it difficult to calculate the students' grade point averages when they transfer to another school, she said. Killen was informed that students who transfer would be awarded a B-average. During the public hearing, Dabbs-Partsafas asked that the board wait to vote on the proposed charter until its May 18 meeting to give The Valley School’s board time to update and clarify several pieces of its proposal and the Medford School Board time to consider the proposal. “I’m grateful they (Medford School Board members) are being very thoughtful about this,” Dabbs-Partsafas said Tuesday. “We were expecting them to be a tough audience, and we were looking for some feedback. But it’s difficult to be in the hot seat. “We’re hoping that the community support last night, and our willingness to take their concerns seriously, will show them that we want a partnership with them,” she added. Reach education reporter Teresa Thomas at 541-776-4497 or by email at [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/teresathomas_mt . By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 23, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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