By Lee Ross
Mountain View Telegraph
More than 50 people came to the Moriarty Civic Center to speak and hear about the proposed school on Tuesday as the applicant, Alan Carson, answered questions.
Everyone appeared to be civil and spoke with concern for their community, according to Catherine Smith, chair of the Public Education Commission.
"We had the nicest community input of any hearing I've ever witnessed," Smith said.
The application for the new school uses the model of an existing high school within the Estancia School District, the Estancia Valley Learning Center. In it, the student's learning is tailored to the student and his or her unique situation. It attempts to support students who may otherwise not complete their high school education, according to Carson, who is a councilor at the learning center.
"We have thousands of unique students that walk through the door," Carson said, adding that the concept is to adapt to students' needs.
The new school, which would be formed in addition to the existing school, is needed to fulfill the needs of students from outside of the Estancia School District, primarily the area served by the Moriarty-Edgewood School District.
Using state-approved curriculum, it has the advantage of using a one-on-one approach, according to Jeff Dulaney, a math specialist at the Estancia Valley Learning Center.
"We used to talk about the shotgun approach," he said. "You throw materials out there and hope it hits something."
One of the fears expressed was that the new school hasn't budgeted for traditional high school positions, such as that of a librarian. Smith said she feared the teachers would have to take on a dual role. Another concern was that the model may use take-home packets and computers to replace traditional classrooms. Another concern raised was that the school would entice students who would normally attend and reap greater benefit from programs in the existing high school.
"The charter school will not be offering anything new and unique," said Moriarty-Edgewood School District Superintendent Karen Couch.
She said the proposed school is similar to a program called Crossroads that was instituted, and still used, by her district in 1996.
Cynthia Gibbons said her daughter is doing better at the Estancia Valley Learning Center than she would have at Moriarty High School, however.
"She wouldn't have a chance at high school (otherwise)," she said.
In an interview after the hearing, Gibbons said she took her daughter out of Moriarty High School because she was allegedly being sexually harassed by another student and the administration wasn't able to make her feel her child was safe.
She had her daughter attend Estancia High School for some time, but transportation became an issue and the Estancia Valley Learning Center became the best alternative.
Moriarty Mayor Adan Encinias said he supports the Moriarty-Edgewood School District in its opposition to the charter school and added that he feels the school is responsive to the needs of parents.
"Parents need to be more patient and work with the school," he said, adding that the charter school may be seen by students as an easy alternative to a traditional high school. "After high school there's life ... there's no shortcuts in life."
The Public Education Department has also presented a list of concerns about the proposed school, and those interested have until 5 p.m. on Sept. 4 to present written comment. Go to www.ped.state.nm.us/charter for more information or call (505) 827-5800.
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