Brighton Collegiate Put out to Bid

Three organizing groups are getting the chance to write a charter school proposal to take over the Brighton Collegiate HS that has been plagued by inappropriate contact between students and staff.

The Brighton 27-J School District took over the charter school in December 2009 after an incident that prompted the board of education to impose greater sanctions. The district released a Request for Qualifications for which they received four applications. Three of those four were invited to write a full-blown proposal. Whoever wins the charter will take over the building currently being used by Brighton Collegiate--and it's bond obligation. The building is only a few years old.

The three groups submitting charter school applications by April 6th are:

1. Arrow Academy: an innovative high school program that maximizes efficiencies of learning through the use of an online learning program that is guided by a master teacher and school approved resources and texts.

2. Ridgeview Classical Schools Institute: uses the Socratic method of inquiry to deliver a classical approach to education. The program builds on the Core Knowledge used in the district's K-8 charter schools.

3. Hughes Consulting: continues and improves upon the current college preparatory program.

The district will hold a parent information meeting at BCHS on April 14th at 6 p.m.

Using the parlance of the US Dept of Education's turnaround project, this is defined as a "restart." A public school is closed and opened as a brand new school with all new administration, staff, and students.

The Brighton situation was the impetus for HB 1345, Powers for Charter School Emergencies, sponsored by Rep. Terrance Carroll.