Editor:
With all due respect, the individual who wrote the editorial in the May 17 edition of The New Era could not possibly have attended the May 15 School Board meeting.
Parents Involved in Education (PIE) are appealing to the State of Oregon requesting a review of the Charter School process because the School Board is in violation of the Oregon State Statute 338.065. PIE has never stopped trying to work with the district.
At the meeting, Chairman Scott Proctor was unable to clearly articulate the School Board’s demands for a new corporation and its relationship to PIE. The 46+ people in attendance were left dizzy with confusion.
The School Board is stating that their two attorneys (how much is this costing the District?) and their insurance agent have demanded that a new corporation be set up in order to add another wall of insurance protection (for clarification, this is not a DBA, or “doing business as”).
Both PIE and Superintendent Horton have received a letter from the School District’s attorney that states that a new corporation is not required. Instead, the letter had the indemnification language for the contract that would provide the “extra” liability protection the Board is seeking. That language has already been included in the contract!
As of July 1, the Sweet Home School District’s insurance will be provided by OSBA (Oregon State Board Association)-PACE, who will also be providing the same coverage to Charter Schools in Oregon. Thus, the Sweet Home School District and the Sweet Home Charter School will be covered under the same umbrella policy and by the same insurance provider. It is a moot point what the current insurance carrier “may be” requesting as they will no longer be the district’s insurance provider as of July 1.
PIE has been faithful in following the procedures set out by statute and continues to do so. The Sweet Home School Board needs to honor their commitment to education and sign the charter agreement. Sweet Home needs this charter school in fall 2006.
Sherrie Ingram
Sweet Home