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Vote change revives Field Academy: Cooper in favor of arts school; Westover, Karg continue opposition

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Mike Sever
March 16, 2010

 

 

By Mike Sever

Record-Courier staff writer

A week after voting “no” on a contract to establish a community school, Field Board of Education President Linda Cooper changed her vote, reviving the hope for the Field Academy of Creative Arts.

She joined board members Brian Olson and Terry Kettering, who had voted “yes” last week, in approving the fourth draft of the sponsor contract between the FACA and Field school district. 

Allyson Westover repeated her vote against the contract. She said the deal will cost Field money from students transferring to the academy, the district will have to pay for curriculum at the academy and Field is limited in how much it can monitor the academy.

“I think it’s a huge mistake for Field schools. I hope it meets the wishes of students and parents,” Westover said.

Donna Karg was absent from the meeting, but sent a message that she is still not in favor of the conversion school concept, but would support the majority board decision.

Cooper said she was basing her vote change on the recommendation of Superintendent David Broback that the academy would help the district avoid a projected $615,000 deficit by balancing Field’s budget, keep staff employed, and that the school will succeed and be a very low risk for the district.

Cooper emphasized her original “no” vote to the 80 people at the special meeting.

“It didn’t have to do with the school — I support the school. It was on what was in the contract,” Cooper said.

Last week, Cooper had said several protections for the district were not in the first draft presented to the board.

“You will notice we are voting on the fourth draft,” Cooper said, which now includes the protections she wanted for the district and its teachers.

A final vote to adopt the contract must be taken by May 15.

About a dozen people offered comments in support of or questions from the audience.

Kim Warren said she was “thrilled” when she learned about the academy.

“Since my daughter started talking I knew she was going to Miller South” (an arts academy in Akron), she said. When she heard about the Falcon Academy idea, “I was thrilled to think she could go to an academy close to home.”

Robin Seeley thanked the board for changing its mind on the academy. She said her granddaughter “knew at the age of three she wanted to be an actress on Broadway.” Seeley, and several others, said the academy is an opportunity to expand education for students who learn differently.

 

 




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 3 Total Comments
3.
    Posted by cooleronline March 16, 2010
youdontknowme, I agree with you 100%. They set themselves up for this controversy when they do not state all of the facts. It seems to be this boards style. Wish they would stop playing games. Just the facts ma'am! I am beginning to believe they love to see their names in print on the front page of the RC.

2.
    Posted by youdontknowme March 16, 2010
Perhaps if Mrs. Cooper would of stated the reason why she voted no in the first place, people would never have bad mouthed her. I am not in favor of ANY bashing of any individual. Her original statement seemed like she didn't care for the schools. All that was needed was to say was that the contract did not have all the information the Board thought should be in there. The item should of been tabled, and the Board should of stated what they wanted in the contract and then the contract re-voted upon. It is my hope that ALL Board members will support the Academy; not just the ones who voted yes.

1.
    Posted by booknook2 March 16, 2010
The new vote has the academy issue passing. I hope all the people that were calling Cooper names and bad mouthing her can admit they were wrong! As stated, she wasn't against the school, she was making sure what was promised was actually put in the contract. That tells me, she was the only one that was really looking out for the district's best interest. Now, the Academy can move forward, the district will have protection, and people can stop bashing her for incorrect reasons. Lessons learned by all. Oh, let's make sure that check gets deposited this time. :-)

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