Parent committee pushes Proposition 2

MAT-SU -- Parents concerned about the conditions of their children's charter schools have banded together to form a committee to push Proposition 2 on this year's ballot.

"We already pay taxes for schools," said Suzanne Schapelle, one of the co-chairs of the Midnight Sun Charter School Committee and a mother of two charter school students. "Right now we are giving them to a landlord."

Both Midnight Sun and Academy Charter Schools are in less-than-adequate sites, Schapelle said. Academy, which teaches kindergarten through eighth grade, is a collection of portables and a remodeled garage, shed and Parks and Recreation sign shop located on a former Matanuska-Susitna Borough maintenance site. Midnight Sun is located in the B & J Mall where classrooms are housed in remodeled shops.

"I encourage you to go to Midnight Sun at 3:40 [when school gets out]," said Dianne Keller, whose child attends Midnight Sun. "The school is located in a mall; the parking lot is an unsafe area because it's not just available for the school."

The total cost of providing new buildings for the charter schools would be around $16 million with each project eligible for a 60 percent reimbursement from the Alaska Legislature. The annual cost to the taxpayer -- based on $100,000 assessed value -- would be $14.89. While charter schools differ from regular public schools in some teaching methods, they are still part of the public school system.

"The number one misconception people have is that they think charter schools aren't public," Keller said. "They are public schools, it's just another choice parents have in the public education system."

So far, the committee has created mail-out pamphlets, had joint meetings with both charter school sub-committees, started a phone campaign, and Midnight Sun had its first parent meeting about the proposition last week. A plan to have the children involved is also evolving. Schapelle said the committee hopes to have the children design and make the posters for parents and community members to put on their car windows.

"Things won't happen unless you make them happen," Schapelle said. "We aren't political, we are parents. It's a personalized grassroots effort."

Both Keller and Schapelle said the charter schools need their own sites to be financially responsible, since currently any work done to Midnight Sun will be left behind if the school moves to another location.

"If we buy a building, all improvements done would benefit us forever," Schapelle said.

Concerns such as inadequate classrooms, parking issues, a liquor store/strip club across the street and waiting lists of parents who want their children in a charter school are all reasons for supporting the proposition, according to the committee.

"These kids are part of the school district, they deserve to have an opportunity for a quality education," Keller said.

A Web site supporting the proposition will soon be up and running. Visit www.voteoctober7.com to find out more information Proposition 2.