Thursday, September 23, 1999
Four proposed charter schools make pitches
They would serve kids with mental, behavior problems
BY DANA DiFILIPPO
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati Board of Education members heard Wednesday from four community groups hoping to start charter schools for students with chronic behavior problems and a history of truancy and academic troubles.
The proposals were presented at the board's committee meetings. Superintendent Steven Adamowski is expected to recommend with which applicants the board should negotiate contracts at the board's next meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at district headquarters, 2651 Burnet Ave., Corryville.
The board on Sept. 13 approved one proposal, tabled three and rejected a fifth.
The Wednesday proposals were:
• St. Aloysius Academy. This year-round school would serve up to about 60 students in kindergarten through fifth grade with severe behavior problems or disabilities, including autism.
It emphasizes remediation, small class size, social skills and parental involvement. Its goal is to enable students to return to the general school population in Cincinnati Public Schools.
Applicant is Donna Saunders, executive director of the St. Aloysius Orphanage in Bond Hill.
• The New Community School. This year-round, extended-day program would serve students who have flunked at least one grade, have learning disabilities and have a history of truancy, behavior problems, contact with juvenile courts and family conflict.
It emphasizes problem-solving, conflict resolution and hands-on learning. It would enroll up to 350 students in grades 1-8.
Applicant is Dr. Frank Colon of Bethesda Family Practice. Several University of Cincinnati professors also would be developers.
• The Children's Home Community School. This school would enroll up to 120 students in grades 1-12 who have failed at least two grades, are disabled or have a history of discipline and truancy problems.
The program would emphasize small class size and behavior modification. For students with mental problems, the program would be year-round; it would be 180 days for others.
Applicant is Mary Cann, director of educational services for The Children's Home of Cincinnati in Madisonville.
• The Lighthouse Community School. This school would serve up to 40 students, ages 12-16, who have academic problems due to family conflict, court involvement, discipline troubles, learning disabilities, emotional problems or homelessness.
Applicant is Robert Mecum, executive director of Lighthouse Youth Services, Inc., of Walnut Hills.
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