Charter school to expand through 12th grade

MAT-SU -- It's a win-win situation -- a school is getting the students it needs and the students are getting the school they want.

Last week the Mat-Su School Board unanimously approved the expansion of the Midnight Sun Family Learning Center through the 12th grade. The arrangement will allow the charter school to grow closer to its goal of 150 students, which will result in more state funding. At the same time, the high school classes will be open to former students of the Atheneum School.

Parents say the private Atheneum School, formerly located on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway at the Trinity Barn, closed unexpectedly and left their students without any options.

"I feel they pulled the rug out from under us," parent Steve Miller told the Mat-Su School Board earlier this summer. He said since the families learned in June that the Valley campus would not be reopening this fall, they have been scrambling to find another option.

When Midnight Sun organizers learned of the situation, they decided it was an opportunity to begin the expansion they had already been planning.

Charter school organizers say the approach of the Midnight Sun Family Learning Center dovetails nicely with what the Atheneum students have been used to -- a Socratic-method program in which classes are multi-age, parental involvement is encouraged and the education program is rigorous.

"We would like to provide a nurturing environment for students who are independent learners who don't quite fit into the box," Miller told the school board.

For the past six years, Midnight Sun has averaged around 90 students in grades Kindergarten through 8. When the state recently changed its funding formula, it meant that as a school with fewer than 150 students the charter school would receive less money per student. Organizers say this dramatically affected their budget and forced them to look at ways of boosting their enrollment.

This next year's expansion will most likely only include between 15 and 20 students, but parent volunteer John Cannon told the school board that it is a first step toward an enrollment of 150.

Before voting in favor of the expansion, the school board wanted to know the bottom line.

"I know if Mr. Contini were here he would ask if this is going to cost any extra money," said board vice president Linda Menard, who was filling in as president in Dan Contini's absence.

Interim Superintendent Bob Doyle told the board he estimates the expansion will cost around $75,000, including an additional teacher, supplies and books. The charter school is planning to continue to work in its Meadow Lakes facility despite the extra students.

At the same time, 15 students would bring in about $60,000 in additional state funds. While this may leave a $15,000 gap, Doyle said he felt confident the district could cover it.

Member Larry DeVilbiss said he was concerned about equity with the district's other charter school -- The Academy Charter School. But Doyle said with its higher enrollment, the Palmer-based school is already receiving more funding per student than Midnight Sun.

Midnight Sun is striving to achieve the 150-student enrollment by the 2003-2004 school year. In the meantime, organizers are in the process of hiring a teacher to lead the new class at their school.

Enrollment in the new program will be open to all Mat-Su students, but priority will be given to former students of the Atheneum School.