Comments on: Charter school makes appeal to county board

By: cassie

cassie — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:08:26 +0000

What happened to making sure our kids are having the very best options for their education? Is it only good if if comes from CUSD schools? What is the big deal? This school would be a great addition to our district. CUSD sees our kids as dollar signs, and if our kids leave to go to OPA Carlsbad, they see it as them loosing money and the kids getting a better option. This is sad but true.

By: YetAnotherCarlsbadParent

YetAnotherCarlsbadParent — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 01:19:06 +0000

I am watching this story with interest. As a parent with an elementary aged child, I want the best education possible for him. I recently made the choice to move him to a private school in Encinitas. If this program were available in Carlsbad, I would consider trying for a spot. This program has been under very close scrutiny lately – and they have been rising above. It is also impressing both the State Board of Education (based on the OPA website) and those posting on Great Schools (based on my own research on that site). I noticed Chino just re-upped the charter for five years…so they must be doing something right.

By: Another Carlsbad Parent

Another Carlsbad Parent — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 03:58:39 +0000

@carlsbad parent, in regards to your claim that API scores are all related to socioeconomic status, I would like you to take a look at where the Oxford in Chino Valley is located. They scored a 972 API. While API scores are often related to socioeconomic status, OPA proves that it need not be!

Anti-OPA supporters make the claim that OPA will cost CUSD $450,000/yr to educate out of district students. I have yet to see the research and numbers to back this up. I refuse to take someone’s word for it.

By: Robbie

Robbie — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 02:20:40 +0000

Why???? Why??

By: Robbie

Robbie — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 02:19:49 +0000

I am sure that those websites you researched are very objective when discussing charter schools right. Since you did your research, your findings researched that Oxford is #1 in both counties they are in. You are right it is in my opinion that OPA is “more effective”. That is why I am working so hard for this. It might not be a right fit for you and your family, that’s ok. I find OPA a right fit for my children and so do a large number of parents in Carlsbad.

By: me-gwen

me-gwen — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 02:05:05 +0000

So what you are saying that because you found Oxford not to be “more impressive” than CUSD, the option of OPA should not be allowed for those tax payers who do want it here? Yes, that’s makes sense. You still have not given me a carlsbad school with all those things that OPA offers. Not one school. So if I want to have those options I have to enroll my child to attend all those schools all at once? Your argument is flawed. How does the district loose money? If my child leaves district schools to attend Oxford, the money (my tax $$) follows my child to OPA. And, OPA actually gets less money (my tax $$) and the remainder stays with CUSD to do with what they pleased. I can guarantee you it’s not going to apply the extra funds to district schools. So essentially, OPA can operate on less $$$ and offers more to students and parents. It’s not your money, what about my tax money going to paying for a declining education within CUSD? Why is it bad for me to have my child learn a foreign language and to have an option of learning music theory, be on the spirit squad, or drama, debating, have science lab all at ONE CAMPUS?

By the way, the petition (what a joke) that is out there, isn’t that the same group, the I Heart Carlsbad schools, that pushed with all their might to close down Buena Vista last year??? The same group that called the 5 ladies on CUSD board “idiots” or “brainless” for allowing BV to stay open to financially drain CUSD? Yes, this group is credible.

By: IGAVEUP

IGAVEUP — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 01:54:13 +0000

You are right it would take hours but I have taken hours to learn about the money etc. So can you answer any of those questions to help support your side of the argument? Beside just saying “it will take money away” and just cause is the answer. I had to jump in since you said read above about finances, I read that it won’t hurt the district or have the impact you believe it will. I was trying to find your proof I just don’t see it. Unless when my child takes their money with them that hurts the district. How is that it is my child money, my tax dollars the district now does not have to deal with that student anymore. How the district wastes the money that they have from the students who remain is on the district. I moved my kids to a private school so kids are leaving whether they go to Oxford or not.

Who told you they weren’t going to hear the appeal? Oxford has the best lawyer Greg Moser handling this case, who has a great record when it comes to taking on this type of case, you can search that on the internet. Plus the California Charter Association backing them these are not first timers going before the County. I know everyone who is anti Oxford wants to believe that they don’t know what they are doing but they do and have a huge support team to back them up.

These are history making events we are witnessing changing education for the better and change is happening, thank goodness! But we all will benefit so for the anti Oxford people, we are fighting for your kids too they deserve the best. Even if they don’t go to Oxford the district will feel the need to compete and provide better for your kids and if you like what you are getting now just wait and see it only gets better! The district doesn’t have to compete right now for students since our only option is private school and most people don’t want to pay more or can afford private, we are doing it this year but next year OPA!

By: FACTONOPA

FACTONOPA — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 01:14:05 +0000

OK so how many out of district students are you talking?
How much does each in district student get?
Then what does the state require that of that amount for an in district goes onto Oxford, how much does the district pocket on each in district student?
How much for each out of district student will the district loose?
Then if a very small percent of out of district students can go to Oxford and the district pockets the money for each in district student then how do we loose money?
The district also has the say on how many out of district students can come in and again it is a very very small percent, but when the time comes take that up with them.
So how will if my child leaves their traditional school doesn’t get to take with them the amount they would get if they stayed at their current school, so that money stays in the district for your child then how does that effect your children and take anything away from them?

Oh also Oxfords middle schoolers at South Orange County campus children got 1000 API score so that is not easy to do! Plus they have all the activities too!

Bottom line here is that as a Carlsbad parent who has taken the time learned the facts and can speak and ask the questions I just asked is sad. I did not want to have to learn all this stuff, I just want the best education for my kids that my tax dollars can buy. For anyone of us parents who are fighting tooth and nail to get this school here we have seen the facts done the research and asked those questions that need to be asked. I did not want to see the truth since it would mean I would have to fight to get this for our children. I see the truth now and I am fighting armed with facts and knowledge. When you look to sign that petition read what they are saying not one is true and were are they getting their information and they can’t tell you. WHy is the state saying that on their scale Oxford is a perfect school, yes perfect, why is the state giving Oxford money to put a school here?? The state loves Oxford but the district wants you to believe that it does not live up to the state standards or ed code so they had no choice but to deny Oxford. Now if you can stop and think for one minute does that makes sense to you? Plus the district did not call ALL of those who signed the form, they got ahold of very few and made them believe that they were going to take their children out of their school if they said yes to a school that isn’t even approved or open, of course you are going to say no, so stop and think!!! DOes any of that make sense to you once you stopped and thought about it? I have spent way too much time away from my family, crying after board meetings because I can’t believe what they just did and adults who are supposed to be respected in our community can flat out lie and it involves our children. I have lost my faith in the political system and as we all fight against each other I am loosing faith that people take the time to think for themselves which makes this world a hell of a lot scarier place to live.

Wheww! Have a good night!

By: carlsbad parent

carlsbad parent — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:49:24 +0000

It works in OUR favor because they are not hearing the appeal.

“More effective” is your opinion.

Read comment above about finances.

The students that leave will not reduce class size.

I am not going by district facts only. I have spent a few hours looking through several websites and history on charter programs.

There is a lot I could say…It would take hours…

By: carlsbad parent

carlsbad parent — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:43:20 +0000

I did not say not impressed (“not MORE impressive”).

Money will be taken out based on the number of students leaving CUSD. As a basic aid district, it is even more complicated. Bascically, all students’ dollars will be reduced because some will be going to support ANOTHER school. So, my child will lose out to benefit yours.
Have we discussed that students from other districts can take spots? My tax dollars should pay for them?

API, test results, etc. are all related to socioeconomic status of families.

Jefferson has K-5 all of the above. Then it continues at Valley. ONE EXAMPLE. Another, at Aviara Oaks Middle you can take Drama, Band or Orchestra, Dance PE, Photography, Art, Broadcasting, Spanish, be on Science Olympiad team, be on basketball or surf team, and with an API of 922, which is not easy to achieve for a middle school.

Please sign petition to NOT have this school impede on our community.