ANTIOCH -- In a case being closely followed by charter school advocates and education administrators throughout the state, a Contra Costa Superior Court judge is expected to soon decide the fate of dueling efforts for control of Dozier-Libbey Medical High School. <\/p>\n
The decision could reverberate far beyond Antioch, changing the playing field in how districts respond to efforts to turn their schools into charters. <\/p>\n
Antioch Unified officials threw a monkey wrench into the typical process last month when it filed its own charter petition for the medical-themed magnet school to thwart a teacher-led petition to convert it into an independent charter -- a novel move for California that has befuddled and concerned many who have followed charter school-related efforts for years. <\/p>\n
\"I've never seen such a case where a district is explicitly countering with a bid to take over a school and with such a deep and rigid line in the sand,\" said Bruce Fuller, a public policy and education professor at UC Berkeley. <\/p>\n
The school district, concerned that its rejection of the teachers' charter petition will be overturned on appeal, is proposing to turn Dozier-Libbey into a dependent charter. Under that scenario, the school would establish an advisory committee and receive a dedicated funding stream, as is the case with traditional charters, but continue to be governed by the school district. Student-athletes could also continue to compete on athletic teams at the district's other high schools, as is currently the case. <\/p>\n
If the teachers prevail with their conversion effort, the new charter school would take control of its own operations with no district input. <\/p>\n
The two sides will be in court Monday morning. <\/p>\n
Judge Laurel Brady is being asked to determine the legality of the district's petition and a request from proponents of the independent charter for a temporary restraining order to \"maintain the status quo which preceded the controversy,\" including using the school logo, facilities and curriculum. <\/p>\n
The district filed a response to the injunction request, saying it must prepare for the next school year, and has already taken several steps toward converting the school into a dependent charter. <\/p>\n
Charter advocates worry about what will happen if Antioch Unified's strategy succeeds, with some saying it could serve as a blueprint on how to thwart charter petitions and undercut state law. <\/p>\n
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Unchartered territory: Dueling petitions for Antioch medical high school draws wide attention<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ANTIOCH -- In a case being closely followed by charter school advocates and education administrators throughout the state, a Contra Costa Superior Court judge is expected to soon decide the fate of dueling efforts for control of Dozier-Libbey Medical High School. The decision could reverberate far beyond Antioch, changing the playing field in how districts respond to efforts to turn their schools into charters Continue reading