Patience leads district to good decision

Frontiersman editorial board

In an example of the virtue of patience, the Mat-Su school board last week voted to approve a new charter school in the Valley for homeschoolers. The proposal first came before the board at the end of the last school year, but the board rejected it at that time -- not because it was a bad proposal, but because a 'yes' vote would have made it possible for the new charter to begin operations this fall.

The district apparently felt that was just too quick a turn-around, and they wanted more time to consider what this new charter school would mean. There was some concern that the services provided by Horizon Charter School would duplicate services already provided by the district's correspondence school.

The people from Horizon insist that the students they are targeting are missed by the correspondence school, and that Horizon would actually bring more students under the umbrella of the Mat-Su school District, and more state dollars into district coffers. Right now 1,700 Mat-Su students are taking part in programs outside the district, and that means dollars are being drained from Mat-Su schools.

It's never good to lose potential dollars from local schools, but when times are tight, as they are now, it's even more critical. Soon voters will be considering bonds worth around $80 million for improvements and construction in the school district. Any effort the district can make to show it is seeking to capture the students seeking opportunities elsewhere can only bolster voter confidence.

Still, the important thing is that the new charter school will provide more educational options in the Valley -- at least options that are supported by the district -- and that can only benefit Valley students and parents. Things have changed in education, as they have everywhere. Many parents are looking for educational alternatives that better suit their children's' specific needs. It is a trend that is likely to continue, and the school districts that will thrive in the changing environment are the ones that adapt to new trends best. With this decision, the Mat-Su School District seems to be sending a signal that it is paying attention to what parents are saying, and that it is willing to adjust to meet the changing needs of Valley students.