Read all about it: May 1 enrollments for charters Nichole Dobo
Pencader May 1 numbers 410 needs 500 to meet the 80% financial threshold. May 1 numbers put them a 66%. Some other charter schools struggling. Moyer OMG!
No good news on the Pencader internal conflicts that appears to be at a stalemate. The adults can’t find a way to put their pettiness aside and think of the students. Last year many in the community rallied for Pencader to stay open. The Delaware Department of Education was poised to close Pencader but with public support, new board and new school leader the school was save. It appears the fallout from the “bitch” incident is dooming Pencader. Pencader was doing quite well meeting the probation requirements set last year by DE DOE and now it looks all is self-inflicted
For you Pencader students and parents; John Dickinson High School has choice openings to even out of district students If you decide to leave Red Clay welcomes you. Pencader and other charter schools falling below 80% have until May 31 to submit a financial plan on how they can operate with such low enrollment.
Please go here to see more detailed information Read all about it: May 1 enrollments for charters Nichole Dobo
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Oh my. Is it possible for these schools to save themselves? How?
Moyer is moving under a new charter
http://www.doe.k12.de.us/infosuites/schools/charterschools/files/NewMoyerAppl.pdf
Pencader is still paying off a loan that help them get up-righted
http://www.doe.k12.de.us/infosuites/ddoe/sbe/docs/Pencader4-2012.pdf
“For so long as Pencader shall remain on probation, it shall not incur any additional debt without the prior written consent of the Department. By June 30, 2013, Pencader Business and Finance Charter School
shall have also repaid in full the $300,000.00 loan from Greggo & Ferrara, and shall be debt free.”
Don’t see how DOE Dan is going to allow more loans. Many of us raised hell to help save Moyer but internal fractures in leadership is just more nails in the coffin. At least there is some room at the in at Dickinson and also, I do believe 100% if Pencader is ordered close the feeder schools have to take them back.
Yes, feeders have to take students of a closed charter. Technically the state will also “reopen” Choice for them but if there are no seats available then it’s really just a technicality.
yes, they reopened choice for us last year. Our choices were Glasgow and Christiana. Have a nice weekend everybody. I know I won’t
I’m so sorry, pencadermom.
There’s still time to right the ship, Pencadermom.
Maybe this will be a wake up call and folks will decide to pull together?
Don’t know Jodi their numbers a very low and with the internal “bitch” wars going on the ship might stay in dry-dock.
State can’t force district who are at capacity to reopen choice BUT if those students are in a feeder pattern the school are required to let them in.
Pencader parents, get in groups and call Red Clay to request a tour of Dickinson but keep in mind with Choice its your responsibility to get your child to a bus-stop with Dickinson.
Trying to be Pollyanna, I guess. I hate the thought of families going through that hell again.
Looking for a flaw in the Charter Law? Here it is. How can these schools be allowed to operate without a plan in place for their students in event of their closing?
Thank you Pandora, Jodi, and Kilroy.
)
To tell you the truth, before all of these incidents even happened, enrollment issues have always been in the back of my mind. I think what happened last summer snowballed into the school looking too unstable for future families. The incident with the teacher could have played a part, but let’s be honest. That happened in March. Most families had already chosen schools for their 8th grader by that time. I’m sure they would have added some students in the Spring, and still could(I like Pollyanna too Jodi ) but probably too little, too late. (I said I liked Pollyanna, I didn’t say I was her
It’s completely unfortunate because it is such a good environment with great high achieving students. (and with rather high poverty) Wish it could be saved by some rich guy out there who loves kids and is all for a business school. (had to throw that out there in case there are any really rich guys looking for somewhere positive to donate their money)
Last summer I absolutely talked about flaws with charters. The students have to be achieving in order to stay open. That is a charter law. But if the state is not checking up on finances and overseeing the boards, then why bother making sure the kids are achieving? How long can they achieve if the other ingredients are missing?
I cannot imagine how Pencader parents might be feeling. This situation really sucks. For how involved you might be there are things that are always out of your control.
I do not know who is responsible but certainly not the students that will be the biggest victims of this mess.
I hope however that this will be analyzed so that similar problems will be avoided in the future.
I hope things workout for the best for the students and their parents.
So sorry for what you’re going through pencadermom. I’m sure it’s tough. I’m holding out hope for a hail mary! I’m an optimist! Try to have a good weekend!
I’m sorry too, pencadermom
I will “pollyanna” for you, cross my fingers and toes and hope for a miracle. It is a sin that a school held in such high regard by it’s students and parents is facing such a hardship.
From the minutes, if anyone reads them, it is clear that they have NOT taken the $300K loan -they have not needed it – BRAVO to the School Leader and teachers. Enrollment should be fine – keep up the bad press and keep up the gloom and doom and it is the press and unfounded comments – not Pencader. As many of us have said before, let it go and let them do what they do best – prepare our youth for the future. It is not a mess and the badmouthing has to stop – and not just about Pencader, but all charter schools. Their scores are up across the board – not just Pencader, but most of the charter schools. They must be doing something right!
Jack,
DE DOE Pencader Charter School Monthly Conditions Report
March 2012 http://www.doe.k12.de.us/infosuites/ddoe/sbe/docs/Pencader4-2012.pdf
This is the information released by DE DOE. If Pencader took no loan why is DE DOE referring to these loans? Furthermore it seems you are bias to the school leader and teachers but give no credit to the school board! Why? Bravo for an enrollment at 66%? The problem is not the charter schools but the charter school law and DE DOE who lack capacity to provide ongoing support and assistance rather then carry a big stick! Pencader is a school of business and finance and how can they educate students in this field if Pencader can’t effectively run their business? Academically Pencader is doing something right and the data supports it. Jack you have used two other names so tell us which is you. Jake , Hewitt or Jack? Seems you have issues with the board! Anyhow, myself and others stepped up last year to help save Pencader for the sake of the kids and now the infighting going on at Pencader isn’t for the kids. Pencader is in a financial bind and at 66% its doubtfully they can make rent and utilities.
“No later than August 1, 2011, Pencader shall provide DOE with satisfactory evidence that it has paid in full the Aqua loan for $160,000.00, and also with signed copies of any new loan documents relating to the refinancing of said loan. Any new loan obtained to
repay the said Aqua loan will not exceed $160,000.00, and will provide for interest only payments in FY12, with the rate of interest not to
exceed 5% per annum. Further, Pencader shall repay in full the principal balance of the new loan no later than September 1, 2012.”
(Completed)
“For so long as Pencader shall remain on probation, it shall not incur any additional debt without the prior written consent of the Department. By June 30, 2013, Pencader Business and Finance Charter School
shall have also repaid in full the $300,000.00 loan from Greggo & Ferrara, and shall be debt free.”
(Ongoing)
That is assuming they take it. According to the Board and CBOC minutes, the loan has not been necessary. Not favoritism. Fact.
sorry Jack the DE DOE report doesn’t say assumes! And the word shall is strong! But in the scope of thing with 66% enrollment programming will have to be scaled back and staff cut. Do you think Delaware Charter Schools Network will go to the Longwood Foundation for some kind of grant? After all, the Longwood provided Pencader with some seed money.As 66% is a long way off from 100% Looks like somebody lacks marketing skill and its sad those leading a school for “Business and Finance” can’t stay out of trouble. Let’s all pray the board stays strong and together to overcome this hurdle. Now is the time to put all bad feelings and egos aside and work for the kids.
Kilroy, the word “shall” and the Delaware DOE are veritable strangers. Trust me. Been there, done that. It was messy.