Letter to Supporters of the BASPCS

Dear Friends,

Most of you know that in September, the Calvert County Board of Education rejected our application for a charter. We appealed this decision to the Maryland Board of Education. This week - on February 26, 2008 - the State Board of Education met in executive session to consider our appeal. They concluded that while there are weaknesses in our application, they believe these weaknesses can be resolved. They have directed both parties – the BASPCS Board and Calvert County Board of Education – to work cooperatively to address these issues and, most important, to work toward approval of the charter application.

This is a very unusual decision for the state Board to make. In their decision, they acknowledge that their order is unusual, but explain that “we find that this is an unusual case because, unlike most charter school applications, the application here appeared thorough and well-developed.”

We are delighted that the state Board of Education recognized the quality of our application. This decision brings us one huge step closer to our goal of offering a high-quality, innovative public education to the students and families of Calvert County.

The BASPCS Board looks forward to working with the county Board of Education to implement our innovative educational plan. We share the state Board’s confidence that as long as both parties act in good faith, we will be able to address the questions that have been raised about our application. The issues to be resolved include the alignment of our curriculum with the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum; budget questions; and issues about where the school facility will be built.

The Bay Arts & Sciences Public Charter School offers a vision of a school where education is rigorous and yet flexible, and where creativity and self-directed learning are encouraged.  The curriculum emphasizes environmental studies and active, hands-on learning experiences. There is ample research telling us that this is the way students learn best. Perhaps most important, Calvert County parents have told us that this is the kind of public school they want for their children.  Our students will graduate with a deep sense of connection to the natural environment that surrounds us, and an understanding of the history that has shaped our region

THANK YOU to each of you for continuing to believe in the promise of our school. We will keep you posted on our progress in the coming months!

Karen S. Mittelman

Chair

Friends of the Bay Arts & Sciences Public Charter School