Charter-school dream dashed

The state school board has raised the ire of Ogden's mayor in denying the city's quest to form a high-tech charter school.

"Here you have the best application in the state, backed with millions of dollars along with the city, community, business leaders and a building — offering students with nearly the lowest test scores in the state a premier education," Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey said. "If at any time the board should be rallying support for a school it should be here."

But the State Board of Education felt the proposed Riverside Technology High School was a little too much like the governor's pet project, the New Century high schools, which also focuses on bringing math, engineering and science to Utah's ethnic minority and low-income students.

The New Century charter school planned for the area also has the backing of Weber State University and Ogden, Weber and Davis school districts.

"I personally would like to see the governor's school first, then let the mayor's school follow," said board member Greg Haws of Hooper.

Meanwhile, a charter school in Eagle Mountain, The Ranches, that had been turned down by the Alpine School district was unanimously approved in the meeting Friday. Stephanie Colson, spokeswoman for The Ranches, said the district had "philosophical differences" with charter schools in general. The school has a contractor selected, two possible building sites and plans to open in fall 2004.

Charter schools are public schools that offer choice within the public education system.

They often are run by boards of parents and teachers. Some focus on particular student populations, such as those on the verge of dropping out, or subjects, such as arts or environmental sciences. So far, 19 have set up shop in Utah.

Riverside's charter was focused on bringing a knowledge of technology and science to inner-city Ogden. Sponsors had made efforts to partner with the New Century High School.

But Riverside's fundamental premise was based on 500 students at a proposed downtown facility, while New Century has a network of centers around the three districts where students will be bused to. Also, New Century worked closely with the districts, while Riverside's organizers weren't comfortable in negotiating so closely with them on items like student caps and allocations.

Therefore, Riverside backers believed their school was incompatible with the New Century High School and wanted to have a go on their own.

After Ogden School District denied Riverside's application in October because the district was already working on the New Century partnership when Riverside put in its application, organizers were hopeful that state board approval would override the district's decision.

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