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Charter school law may revive arts program By VICKI GUARINO EAGLE POINT -- Organizers are working to revive a special educational program emphasizing the arts. The Renaissance School could reopen in January under Oregon's new charter school law. Charter schools operate free of many of the daily controls on traditional public schools. A handful of charter schools, the Renaissance School included, had been operating in Oregon before the Legislature passed the charter law earlier this year. The Renaissance School opened last fall in a church, with approval from the Eagle Point School Board. The program drew nearly 50 students in fifth through eighth grades. The school presented academic instruction through visual and performing arts. It emphasized student projects over lessons and daily assignments. Despite strong support of parents, who were required to volunteer assistance to the program, the Renaissance School was unable to re-open this fall. The organizers couldn't find adequate space. The biggest problem was finding accommodations that met current building codes for public schools. Now parents and teacher Shannon Sanders have submitted a new Renaissance School plan to the school board. The Eagle Point school board has scheduled a public hearing on the charter request for 6 p.m. Nov. 10 at the administration office board room, 11 N. Royal Ave., Eagle Point. School district superintendent Bill Jones said Tuesday that he doesn't expect the board to make a decision immediately. Under the new charter school law, the board has the option of approving a community group's charter school plan, or requesting certain changes in the plan, or charter. Applicants have 20 days to respond to board requests for charter changes. Under legal framework in place for charter schools before passage of the new law, school boards could allow charter schools to operate as alternative schools under conditions set out in the charter. The new law, said Jones, sets out stricter and more specific conditions for the charter schools. Staff has to be set as well as programs and curriculum. A budget must clearly delineate how much programs will cost, and how bills will be paid. Also, organizers have to name a governing board, and that board must follow the state laws for public officials. Although the administrative demands on charter schools are greater, the law appears to offer greater funding. The law sets out, by enrollment, how much money public school districts have to turn over to their charter schools, Jones said. "I think it would be a little better for them," Jones said. The law tightens operating procedures for charter schools, but it also gives the schools more authority to run their own affairs once they are approved by school boards. For that reason, Jones said, the school board will have to pay close attention to provisions in the proposed charter. Those provisions would have to include the certainty of classroom space, Jones said. Sanders said while there have been challenges in finding space, organizers have found two options within the district. These options will be presented at the hearing, and one will be chosen based on any recommendations offered by the school board. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA