Bibb BOE denies petition for Bloomfield charter school

The Bibb County school board voted unanimously to deny Bloomfield Preparatory Academy's charter petition Thursday.

One of the concerns expressed is that the practices for a science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics focus are already present in existing Bibb County schools, along with the Cirrus Academy state charter school set to open in August.

"Most of our elementary schools are emphasizing STEM currently," said Superintendent Curtis Jones, who recommended the denial.

Board member Wanda West said she wasn't against the school or its vision but that it lacked a "unique focus." She said there were concerns throughout the proposal as well as various areas that needed clarifying.

In addition to a lack of academic innovation, the board and committee of administrators tasked with assessing the school's proposal didn't see enough details regarding fiscal and operational practices.

Specifically, the petition indicated that the school intended to use Barden Elementary School's facility beginning in August. The district will no longer use that school building after this school year, when Barden and Morgan Elementary will consolidate into Veterans Elementary, but that means any necessary upgrades or changes can't begin until May at the earliest.

"Barden is not available at his particular time," said Sylvia Hooker, assistant superintendent for district effectiveness.

Lack of a building could create a situation similar to the one Macon Charter Academy faced when it had to begin the 2015-16 school year at the Macon Coliseum, a process Jones said he didn't want to repeat.

While Jones recognized that Bloomfield Academy could resolve the issues presented and bring another petition before the board, he said the main goal was not to give the school's leadership a checklist to gain approval.

"It has to be their vision, their operation, so they can go forward," he said.

Bloomfield Academy would also have the opportunity to seek state approval, which would make the school's funding come from the state and not local dollars.

Debra Thomas, chairman of Bloomfield Academy's governing board, said that the school's plan was to be a locally-approved charter.

"Our intent is to work with (the Bibb County school board); our intent has always been to partner with them," she said.

She expressed disappointment that the school's focus on the arts in addition to STEM initiatives was not recognized as a different approach from other schools. Still, Thomas said the work would continue for Bloomfield Academy to gain approval.

"Our plan is to follow up to make sure that the vision we have for Bloomfield Academy comes to fruition," she said.

Thomas pointed out a different location for the school adjacent to the Barden Elementary site, where the school would construct its own building for long-term use.

The school is seeking to become the county's fourth charter school, with MCA and the Academy for Classical Education already in operation and Cirrus opening in August. A fifth charter school, the DREAM Academy, is in the petition process.

The Bibb school board is expected to hold a called meeting next week to address the pending approval of an amendment to MCA's charter that would allow the school to continue working with Renaissance School Services.

At Thursday's meeting, the board also elected officers for 2016. Lester Miller will serve as president, with Jason Downey serving as vice president and Daryl Morton as treasurer.

The vote drew contention over the process for nominating and electing officers. Board member Tom Hudson said that the "deck was stacked" prior to Thursday's vote.

"The vote is going to be the vote, and we're going to work together as a board," Miller said.

To contact writer Jeremy Timmerman, call 744-4331 or find him on Twitter@MTJTimm.

This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 8:01 PM with the headline "Bibb BOE denies petition for Bloomfield charter school ."