Francesco Accetta - Tuxedo UFSD
Stuart Wirth - Tuxedo UFSD
Kathleen Habesland - Tuxedo UFSD
Andrew Dance - Tuxedo Farms
Bill Sweet - Tuxedo Chamber of Commerce
Bob Richards - Greenwood Lake Parent/Engineer
Chuck Goodwin - International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
Deb Thomas, Ph.D. - Rockland Teacher Center
Frank Peverly - Tuxedo Resident
Jan Hammond, Ed. D. - Long Island University/SUNY New Paltz
John Moon, Esq. - Tuxedo Parent
John Morey - Former New Vision Engineering Instructor
Kathy Reed - Catskill Hudson Area Health Education Center
What is a conversion charter school?
A charter school is a public school. It is financed through public, local, state, and federal funds but is independent of local school boards. The authority of the charter school to provide education is through a "charter," a type of contract, between the charter school board of trustees and one of the chartering entities that has been approved and issued by the Board of Regents. Charter schools typically focus on innovative curricula, a new approach to school organization, or some other features that differentiate them from regular public schools. Students may choose to attend any charter school and are accepted through an application procedure.
What is the difference between a "charter" school and a "conversion charter" school?
A Conversion charter school transforms a traditional public school and converts it into a public charter school, operating independently of their local district. Traditional schools decide to convert into charters for a variety of reasons, but key drivers are the flexibility and autonomy available under the charter model. Charter schools are most commonly founded as new, start-up organizations that are opened within an established school district. .
Conversion provides increased flexibility in the areas of curriculum, instruction, operations, governance and finance in exchange for improved student achievement, continuous improvement, and additional accountability. The specific benefits of converting to a charter school can include:
Parents, students, teachers and other stakeholders have an active voice in school governance.
School leaders develop a robust professional development program, increase teacher support and effectiveness and make informed personnel decisions.
Budgetary decisions are made at the school level, potentially increasing the amount of dollars reaching the school and classroom, which allows resources to be aligned with the program's mission, vision and objectives.
Teachers and staff have the freedom to develop and implement innovative instructional programs tailored to the needs of their students.
The Board of Directors has the ability to make critical governance decisions at the school site level.
We recommend reviewing the Guide to Charter Schools in New York State, which can be found at:
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/psc/documents/csparentguide.PDF
What is the cost of tuition for your child to attend Tuxedo STEM Academy?
The cost of tuition for the conversion charter school is paid for by the student's home district. There is no tuition cost for the parent.
Who provides transportation for students in a charter school?
For the purpose of transportation, charter schools are considered nonpublic schools, which means that students attending charter schools who reside within a 15-mile radius of the charter school (or a greater radius if the voters of the school district of residence have approved nonpublic transportation for more than 15 miles) will receive transportation from their school district of residence on the same basis as nonpublic school students (i.e., subject to the applicable minimum mileage limits for transportation in the school district of residence, and the requirement of the timely filing of a request for transportation pursuant to Education Law § 3635(2)).
What are the purposes of charter schools?
Charter schools as defined in New York may be created to:
Improve student learning and achievement;
Increase learning opportunities for students who are at-risk of academic failure;
Encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods;
Create new professional opportunities for educators;
Provide parents and students with expanded choices in the types of educational opportunities that are available within the public school system; and
Provide schools with a method to change from rule-based to performance-based accountability systems.
How do charter schools differ from traditional public schools?
Accountability: Charter schools are held accountable for how well they educate children in a safe and responsible environment, not for compliance with district and state regulations. They are judged on how well they meet the student achievement goals established by their charter, and how well they manage the fiscal and operational responsibilities entrusted to them. If they fail to deliver, they are closed.
Choice: Parents, teachers, community groups, organizations, or individuals interested in creating additional educational opportunities for children can start charter schools. Local and state school boards, colleges and universities, can sponsor them. Students choose to attend, and teachers choose to teach at charter schools.
Autonomy: Charter schools are freed from the traditional bureaucracy and regulations that some feel divert a school's energy and resources toward compliance rather than excellence. Proponents of charter schools argue that instead of jumping through procedural hoops and over paperwork hurdles, educators can focus on setting and reaching high academic standards for their students.
Who makes up the Founding Committee?
The following individuals have been invited to be a part of the founding committee. This group is subject to change as more invitations are accepted:
Art Schouten - George F. Baker HS
Will charter schools have to address the State learning standards established by the Board of Regents?
Yes. Charter schools must meet the same student assessment requirements as other public schools, and they must design their educational programs to meet or exceed the State’s student performance standards.
Will charter schools have to administer State assessments?
Yes. Charter schools are subject to the same student assessment requirements as other public schools and nonpublic schools.
Do charter school students have to take Regents exams?
According to the law, "A charter school shall design its educational programs to meet or exceed the student performance standards adopted by the Board of Regents." Students attending a charter school are required to take Regents examinations to the same extent that such examinations are required of other public school students. A charter school offering instruction in the high school grades may grant Regents diplomas and local diplomas to the same extent as other public schools. A charter school may also grant other certificates and honors that are specifically authorized by its charter.
On what basis may a charter school select students?
In general, a charter school may establish no admissions requirements except that students meet the age or grade level requirements specified in its charter. However, a charter school may be formed as a single-sex school or as a school designed to serve at-risk students, and in such circumstances may limit admissions to students of a single gender or who are at-risk of failure in school, unless such action would constitute impermissible discrimination under federal law. In addition, a charter school may deny admission to a student who is currently under suspension or expulsion by another public school until the period of suspension or expulsion has expired. A charter school may provide admissions preference to students returning to a charter school, siblings of children attending a charter school, and children residing in the local school district.
Are charter schools open to all students?
Yes. Any child who is qualified under the laws of this State for admission to a public school is qualified for admission to a charter school. Immunization requirements for enrollment in the public schools, as health and safety requirements, will apply to charter school students.
Can students with special needs enroll in charter schools?
Yes. A charter school shall not discriminate against any student on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender, or disability.
Would an IEP be followed in a charter school?
Per the regulations set forth by New York State the answer is "Yes, charter schools are required to accept special education students; the school cannot discriminate against them. The school is required to provide the services spelled out in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)."
The charter school may opt to provide some or all of the special education services itself, may contract with a private provider, or may arrange for the student’s district of residence to provide services.
Which students have guaranteed placement in the Tuxedo STEM Academy?
1. All resident students living within the Tuxedo Union Free School District are guaranteed automatic admission.
2. All attending George F. Baker High School during the 2014/15 school year are guaranteed automatic admission.
3. The siblings of any student attending the George F. Baker STEM Academy are guaranteed automatic admission.
Will Greenwood Lake students who don't have a sibling enrolled in the school have second choice after Tuxedo resident students before the lottery?
Having been Greenwood Lake's high school for over 30 years, we acknowledge our long history and connection to the community and its students. Therefore, we will be submitting a waiver along with our application seeking permission from the state to include all Greenwood Lake students the opportunity to attend the George F. Baker STEM Academy without being subjected to the lottery.
Are sports still offered?
Yes. The George F. Baker STEM Academy will continue to offer Junior Varsity and Varsity level sports. We currently have boys/girls soccer, girls volleyball, boys/girls cross country, boys/girls basketball, baseball, softball, wrestling, and crew.
Will The Tuxedo STEM Academy still offer C-TEC classes for the 2015/16 school year?
We will be submitting a waiver, attached to our application, requesting that any students who were previously enrolled in CTEC while attending George F. Baker High School in the 2014/15 school year can continue to participate in the program during the 2015/16 school year as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Charter Schools in New York State:
For more questions/answers pertaining to charter schools in New York State, please visit the Department of Education's website at: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/psc/charterfaq.html