I am the parent of a Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School student, but was not involved in the process of conceiving or applying for the charter school status. Yet, as I have learned about the proposal, I have been very impressed by the charter conversion, for several reasons.
I believe it will support the excellent programs now in place.. Our family has broader than typical experience with both public and private elementary schools, and we believe PDMSS is a truly excellent school that it would be a travesty to risk closing.
PDMSS offers a program of the quality that I believe will easily motivate people to drive over the hill to Malibu and bolster enrollment for the larger local system. I have been made aware of other charter schools in greater Los Angeles that attract students from a wide geography. I have not yet met a PDMSS family who doesn’t support the charter conversion, and 100 percent of the school’s faculty signed the supporting petition. With this level of commitment from a very capable community, the future viability of the school is assured.
In a world and community where parents and teachers often express concern over kids growing up too quickly, the ability to spend 6th grade in an elementary school setting is a very refreshing option and one that perhaps should not be unique to Point Dume.
As I have learned more about the charter process and the specific plan proposed for the Point Dume Marine Science Charter, it has become clear to me that the school will meet the criteria specified under the charter law. Until this process came up in my own community, I was not aware that the law specifically prescribes that the viability and quality of education to be provided at the charter school are the essential factors upon which the authorizing/supervising agency must base its decision.
Given these overt legal guidelines, I have been surprised that the majority of comments I have heard in opposition to the charter have been unrelated to the quality and viability of the PDMSC plan. Instead, it appears that those opposed to the charter are focused on the impact they fear PDMSC may have on Juan Cabrillo or Malibu High School. It would be most unfortunate if the SMMUSD allowed these voices to influence the board toward a decision that is not consistent with the charter law.
Steve McKenzie