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Juniper School contract set for Tuesday vote

Charter will apply for state grant if it receives approval from board

A new elementary charter would clear a hurdle Tuesday if it gets a favorable vote on its contract from the Durango School District 9-R Board of Education.

Despite concerns about the school’s financial viability over the past year, Durango Schools of Choice’s proposed K-5 charter, The Juniper School, is slated to open in fall 2016.

Andy Burns, president of the Durango school board, said if the contract is approved, the year ahead will be focused on planning and securing funding, namely a $250,000 Colorado Public Charter Schools Startup and Implementation grant.

“This will be a planning year to finalize the process,” Burns said. “(Durango Schools of Choice) needs our approval to apply for the grant. It’s sizeable, and most charters get that.”

Juniper also will receive its share of per-pupil revenue but not until the school opens.

The board approved Juniper’s charter application in March, although early reviews conducted by the school District Advisory Accountability Committee found budgetary and staffing issues with the proposal, and it deemed Juniper financially unprepared to open by fall 2015 as originally proposed.

Durango Schools of Choice, a steering committee composed of parents and educators, agreed to postpone the Juniper’s opening for a year – giving organizers more time to find funds.

Burns said officials are now satisfied with the application and contract.

“Based on documentation and feedback we’ve received, they’re now in a much better position,” he said.

The Juniper School is expected to open on 12th Street with one class in each grade. Modeling the Montessori educational approach, its curriculum is designed to incorporate project-based learning and promote critical thinking.

Unlike Durango’s other two charters, Animas High School and Mountain Middle School, Juniper sought charter authorization through the local board rather than the state.

The board will consider the vote at its regularly scheduled meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Durango School District 9-R Administration Building, 201 E. 12th Street.

jpace@durangoherald.com



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