Riverside charter gains nod

Supporters of a new technology charter school in Ogden breathed a sigh of relief Friday when the Utah State Board of Education reversed an earlier decision and voted to accept the school's application.

Riverside Technology High School, a charter school backed by Ogden city, was derailed in December when the State Board denied their application. Board members felt the school was too similar to the up-and-coming Northern Utah Academy of Math, Engineering and Science charter (NUAMES) — part of former Gov. Leavitt's New Century High Schools project — which would serve Ogden, Weber and Davis school districts.

Charter schools are public schools that offer choice within the public education system. Riverside's focus is to bring high-tech education programs to inner-city students, and it had previously considered partnering with NUAMES.

However, school leaders found the two charters to be incompatible based on governance, facilities and overall school plans.

After the state board's denial, Riverside supporters urged board members to reconsider the application based on the educational merits, since state board members agreed it was an excellent application. The board voted to reconsider it last month.

"When it boils right down to it, several hundred inner-city kids will have the possibility of a better school," said state board member Tim Beagly. "That is the thing we need to consider."

If Riverside proves successful it will be a model for a broader area — far beyond Utah, said Greg Haws, board member.

The school's location in a research park, a high-tech science lab and strong business partnerships make for a very unique institution, said Eric Stroop, who sits on Riverside's board of directors. But most importantly it will give Ogden students options in education.

"We are elated," said Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey. "This will have a huge impact on the kids that live here — it's a premier school not just in the area but in the state."

Though operations have been set back two months, school leaders still plan to open next fall.

"It will be difficult for sure," said Earley. "Getting our building prepared has been on hold, recruitment of students has been on hold — we are just going to have to double up our efforts."

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E-mail: terickson@desnews.com

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