Schools

District 308 Board Members 'Disgusted' at Online Charter Proposal

Board members vote unanimously in opposition of Virtual Learning Solutions and K12.

All seven members of the Oswego 308 Board of Education voted to deny the online charter school proposal from Virtual Learning Solutions Monday night.

Two weeks prior representatives from Virtual Learning Solutions and K12 had met with the board and community to explain the proposal for the online charter school and answer questions, but ended up not having many answers.

On Thursday evening, K12 , with a cover letter written by VLS, for the board members to read.

Find out what's happening in Oswegowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Find out what's happening in Oswegowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I think it’s crazy that they dropped 1,080 pages on Thursday and expect us to read them and make a decision by the following Monday and have a proposal that’s in the best interest of our students,” said board member Mike Scaramuzzi. “I have more questions now than I did before I read the 1,080 pages.”

Maureen Lemon, the district’s attorney, remarked that the 1,080-page PDF was missing several documents the District 308 board had requested at the proposal meeting, including information on direct policies.

“It was a disgusting display of just trying to make a profit,” said board president Bill Walsh of the entire proposal.

Watch: School board meeting April 8

Some of the information provided in the document also contradicted previous statements, including how many students the program expected to enroll and the teacher to student ratio, which went up across all grade levels.

“Online learning is not a cheaper alternative to in-building education. They say it in their own materials,” added board member Mike Scaramuzzi.

 “The fact that their board is not being governed by parents or whatever community they’re pulling from…” said board trustee Laurie Pastersis. “That tells a lot.”

Superindent Matthew Wendt expressed his support of online learning, but said this was not the way to do it.

“What’s good for kids continues with online learning with you as the board. I determine we set down the path we have. It [VLS and K12] is in no way a partnership that is good for District 308.”

All seven board members voted yes to denying the proposal for the online charter school.

Under Virtual Solution's application, if school boards deny the application the proposal can be appealed to the State Charter School Commission.


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