Board: Charter school won't gain extra space

By: BARBARA HENRY - Staff Writer
TIP Academy officials say they're reviewing other options | Thursday, March 13, 2008 1:26 AM PDT ∞

ENCINITAS -- A charter school that occupies part of Ocean Knoll Elementary School's campus should not receive any extra classroom space next school year, the Encinitas Union School District board decided Wednesday.

The Theory into Practice Academy -- commonly called the TIP Academy -- has 10 classrooms and one general-purpose room at the Ocean Knoll campus on Melba Road. The school squeezes 12 classes of students into that space.

District officials argued Wednesday that additional classroom space shouldn't be allotted based on their review of the enrollment estimates the academy has provided for the 2008-09 school year.

"We really believe that they are not credible figures," Superintendent L. McLean King said.

The academy's chief education officer, Michael Hazelton, attended the meeting, but did not speak to the board. Outside the boardroom later in the evening, Hazelton and the school's attorney said the district's enrollment forecast differs from the academy's estimate because the district hasn't counted all the students it could.

District officials said they believe that 229 students who live within the boundaries of the Encinitas Union District will enroll at TIP Academy next year.

TIP officials say the figure will be 281. Overall school enrollment, including students from outside the district, is forecast to be more than 300 children.

The number of students who live within the district is critical because that decides how much space the district must give the charter school under state law.

Charter schools have a special status in the state education code. They receive public school funding, but can opt out of many of the requirements placed on regular public schools. They get their special status because they are considered to be innovative places -- spots where new ideas to improve education can flourish.

With Wednesday's vote, the decision of what to do next now falls to the charter school. Its leaders have until May 1 to respond to the board's decision.

Hazelton said they are considering their options. They may decide to fight the decision, he said, or they may decide to house part of the school at a different location.

-- Contact staff writer Barbara Henry at (760) 901-4072 or bhenry@nctimes.com.

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Pre-Registration Comments[-]Go to Top

publicschoolparent wrote on Mar 13, 2008 7:43 PM:The lack of critical thought by this reporter demonstrates his/her bias. 12 classes being squeezed into 10 rooms; that the classes only have 8 kids each isn't specified. Or the 10/class or the 12/class or the 30. What happened to journalism - where did the basic who what where and why go?

Yes where is my blog wrote on Mar 13, 2008 8:57 PM:Hum.., I wonder if this charter school has any complaints? Hey aren’t Michael Hazelton his wife and other folks at the TIP Academy the same individuals who worked at the Guajome Park Academy? What ever happened to the guajomeunderground website? North County Times what’s the juice?

Go Away wrote on Mar 13, 2008 9:41 PM:Hazeltons - why don't you just pack up and head out to Palos Verdes where you want to spread your wealth? Please leave. You are draining money from our schools into your pockets. Charter school loop holes... you have found them all.

Eugenics wrote on Mar 13, 2008 10:11 PM:Public school parent the report was excellent the reporter could have exposed all the dirt but chose to have a basic article. If you want an in-depth article I agree with you. Lets start with the background of the charter and its supporters. Is the curriculum logically sound? Superior range children in a PUBLIC SCHOOL with PUBLIC FUNDS? Now are the parents superior also? Or is it-reversed eugenics?

Not a fan wrote on Mar 17, 2008 8:54 PM:Thank goodness Palos Verdes did not buy into this. This school takes from the community and does not give back. PV has learned from our very big mistake. Read the community's statement (on line) about why they do not want TIP in their district and see for yourself.

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