District/School Administration Administration
The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Charter Schools - Approval of Charter Amendments for Barnstable Horace Mann Charter School and Marstons Mills East Horace Mann Charter Public School

Proposed Amendments

Pursuant to the Charter School Regulations, 603 CMR 1.11(1), the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) must approve major changes in a school's charter, including grades served. Barnstable Horace Mann Charter School (BHMCS) and Marstons Mills East Horace Mann Charter Public School (MME) are both part of the Barnstable Public School District (District). BHMCS is currently chartered for and is serving all students in grades 5-6 in the District and requests a change to become a grades 4-5 school serving all students in the District. MME is currently chartered for and is serving grades K-4 and requests a change to become a K-3 school. Both schools have requested this change as part of a district reorganization that is being implemented to reduce costs.

Background

In response to severe anticipated financial constraints, the Barnstable school committee and superintendent began a planning process, in September 2008, to restructure grade levels and facilities in the district with implementation occurring in fall 2009. The Horace Mann charter schools were involved in this planning process and on January 20, 2009, the Barnstable school committee voted to accept the recommendation of the superintendent to move all grade 4 students in the district to BHMC. In addition, the school committee voted to accept the superintendent's recommendation to move all grade 6 students from BHMCS to the Barnstable Intermediate School. This action by the school committee, as agreed to by the boards of the charter schools, requires each charter school to seek approval from the Board for a change in grade span. Barnstable Horace Mann Charter School will serve grades 4 and 5; Marstons Mills Horace Mann Public School will serve grades K-3, as will all elementary schools in the district.

The BHMCS board of trustees voted to approve this amendment request on January 22, 2009. The MME board of trustees voted to approve this amendment request on March 12, 2009. As required by charter school regulations, both amendment requests were approved by the Barnstable school committee and the local teachers' union on March 17, 2009. The proposed changes will be implemented in the 2009-10 school year and would not have a significant impact on students because of the demonstrated ability of each school to implement a supportive school environment and rigorous academic program.

Commissioner's Recommendation

The Department has reviewed this request and it appears reasonable and consistent with the charter school statute and regulations. I recommend that the Board approve the amendment requests of BHMCS and MME as described in this memorandum.

If you have any questions regarding these amendments or require additional information, please contact Jeff Wulfson, Associate Commissioner, at 781 338-6500; Mary Street, Director of Charter Schools, at 781 338-3200; or me.

Enclosures:

Correspondence from Barnstable Horace Mann Charter School
Correspondence from Marstons Mills East Horace Mann Charter Public School
Letter from Patricia Grenier, Superintendent, to Parents/Guardians