20 acres would serve more than just Charter


Published on Thursday, June 18, 2009 6:41 PM AKDT

To the editor:

In responding to the parent who is asking the school board to replace old carpeting at Finger Lake Elementary, there needs to be a correction to part of her statement. She incorrectly stated that the school board should re-consider purchasing the 20 acres of land to assist Academy Charter to improve the parking. It is much more than that.

Academy Charter has survived using worn-out portables for the last 12 years. The added acres are not only for parking, but will offer a permanent space for all of K-8 classrooms, and make stage productions possible (due to city of Palmer regulations).

Parents and teachers over the years at Academy Charter have volunteered endless hours of maintenance

and do-it-yourself improvements without borough monies. I know this because my husband has been one of the parents

who have lent a repairing hand to ongoing fix-it projects. We have both volunteered and we both work full-time.

Academy Charter is run by as many volunteers as teachers and staff. Volunteering hours are a requirement for our children to be able to attend.

Options to raise money have been exhausted for Academy Charter. In addition, the acquired acres are adjacent to the District Administration Building and neighboring soccer fields. This acquired land by the school district could be utilized for the entire district and not just Charter.

If there are real health concerns about carpeting, then make a formal health complaint.

Contessa Shade Gossett

Palmer

 

Copyright © 2009 Frontiersman

Comments

4 comment(s)

    Contessa wrote on Jun 25, 2009 9:24 PM:

    " Response to offsoapstone- Hello, before our child attended a charter school, we thought the same thing- that charter school are expected to stand on their own. They aren't actually. They are part of the public school system and from what we understand eligible for funding. And remember, the 231 attending students are ones that would have been attending the other public school, increasing classroom size. We have seen the funding efforts Academy Charter has done, to exhaustive levels !!! "

    Parking problem wrote on Jun 20, 2009 8:09 AM:

    " Look at the whole picture, have you seen the over flow parking when you or others attend a soccer/baseball game? People are forced to park in ditches along Academy, the River Park, the Admin building and at Sherrod. There isn't enough room. Academy has a proven 12 year record of being an asset to the community. I say buy the land help a school in need and the community better access to the fields. "

    offsoapstone wrote on Jun 19, 2009 9:52 AM:

    " It's my understanding that Charter schools are to stand on their own. Also if your childern go to a charter school parents have to volunteer to help out at these schools which is great. Little to no thought was put into the placement of this school for growth. I'm also sure little to no thought was put into the cost or constrution of a permant building and now people want to add to an already bloated school budget. All kids need an education but there are limits to what can be paid for. "

    george wrote on Jun 18, 2009 10:28 PM:

    " The land next to Academy is the only parcel available for better access to the district office and the Sherrod ball fields. It is also the only parcel available for expansiion of Academy Charter. The parcel is for sale. If it is not purchased now, people will be forced to use the 'driveway' sized road to the ball fields and the school will not grow. It is time to buy the property. The money is in the school site fund for the purpose of buying land, not carpets. Use it. "

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