Ascent Classical Academy is asking the school board to review its application outside the normal state-dictated window for charter applications in August, and also asking to be chartered through CSI, the Colorado Charter School Institute, rather than through Durango School District 9-R’s local chartering authority.
There are two concerning issues: (1) the timing of their request, and (2) the attempt to avoid 9-R’s local chartering authority by seeking approval through CSI. The board has maintained that Ascent’s application is welcome in August and will be given appropriate attention then, but Ascent is asking the board to relinquish its chartering responsibility, so it can go straight to CSI, which regulates its other charter schools.
As background, 9-R only obtained chartering authority in 2013, which is why Mountain Middle and Animas High are chartered through CSI. Thereafter, 9-R chartered Juniper as its first and only 9-R charter. The advantage to local chartering is that the district and community have some say over its charters and can ensure they are held to the same standards applicable to other local schools and align with Durango’s and 9-R’s values. This creates a stronger working relationship and ensures that people outside our community are not the ones making decisions about what schools here in Durango can and should look like, what they teach and who should be allowed to teach (state certified vs. non-certified teachers).
Ascent should apply in August when the board and the District Accountability Advisory Committee will be able to thoroughly and fairly review its application.
Carol Cure
Durango
