Minnesota law encourages educational innovation by allowing development of public charter schools, open to all, and tailored to specific needs or interests. Eagleview charter supporters plan to focus on technology. “We can leverage computer delivered instruction in order to afford some things like music that have been cut over the years,” says Toni Wilcox, President of the Eagleview Community Foundation. Enhancing math and science instruction by participating in robotics competitions is also planned.
The ISD 318 School Board is scheduled to vote on the Eagleview teachers’ charter conversion request at the January 16th meeting. Though charter school discussions in other communities have proved contentious at times, Eagleview and ISD 318 appear committed to working together toward providing the best education for area students. “Whether that means the district becomes our sponsor, as required by law to be directly converted to a charter school in 2007, or we have to find an experienced non-profit to sponsor us as a new school opening in 2008 is still to be decided.”says Wilcox. “We feel lucky that our discussions with the district staff and board have always been open and candid. There’s never any doubt that doing what’s best for children is everyone’s goal.”
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