Hi Jim- A charter school has much less than 50-50 chance of success. The list of reasons is long though in many instances the initial launch idea is noble. Texas has several longitudinal studies detailing the data. Though politicians might glamorize the meager successes the bottom line is for parents is to work with their local school (hopefully in their neighborhood), the leadership as well as the teacher to secure the best educational inputs and outcomes for their child. Dane Sent from Windows Mail From: James Wiegel Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2014 12:55 PM To: Bill Schlesinger Cc: Karen Snyder, K. Elise Packard, Timothy Dove, Oliveann Slotta, Marilyn RCrocker, Lynda Lieberman Baker, Donna Campbell, Eric Brooks, Glenda and Dane Adkinson, Steve Har, Loren Weybright, Tatwa Timsina, Mary Kurian D'Souza, Robyn & John Hutchinson, Pam Santesteban, John Oyler, Raul Jorquera, OE Serve, Colleague Dialogue See email below. I got this from a long time colleague working in local community in El Paso. Get back to me or Bill if you can help / have wisdom or resources. Jim Wiegel Never trust atoms. They make up everything. a billboard From: Bill Schlesinger <pvida@whc.net> To: 'James Wiegel' <jfwiegel@yahoo.com> Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2014 8:55 AM Subject: Charter school resource Jim – We’re looking at the possibility of opening a charter school in the neighborhood we serve; the school district is considering (again) closing the neighborhood school of about 300 students because they want all schools to house 600-800 students and the building is 85 years old. We’re thinking of a Pre-K or K-8 program based on the Kahn Academy resources, and using TOP and IE methods in the classroom. We’ll need a lead staff person to work with us to develop and lead the grant planning process with stakeholders and community residents. It’s probably a 9-12 month process with the possibility of remaining with the school if it’s funded. Would you let folk in your networks know of the project and, if they’re interested, have them contact me? Again – this is very much in the exploration stage at this point. Thanks, Bill Schlesinger Project Vida 3607 Rivera Avenue El Paso, TX 79905 (915) 533-7057 x 207 (915) 503-1014 FAX pvida@whc.net www.projectvidaelpaso.org