[Brwne]

Originally Posted by Joecooool418

Last week, I played golf with one of the deans at The Villages Charter School in Middleton. We got to talking about what parents have to do to keep their kids enrolled there, and I couldn't believe some of what he told me.

For starters, at least one parent has to work for The Villages or one of the businesses that qualifies under their enrollment rules. If that parent quits, gets fired, or gets laid off, their kids immediately lose their eligibility to attend the school. He told me they typically give parents about a week to find another qualifying job before kicking the kids out. The school's official policy does allow parents to petition for more time, but there's no guarantee they'll get it.

He said he personally knew of situations where employers had taken advantage of workers with kids in the charter school because they knew those employees couldn't afford to lose their jobs.

Think about that. Your boss knows that if you quit or get fired, your kids could get kicked out of school. How much crap would you put up with at work if you knew your kids' education was on the line?

Then he told me about the parental involvement requirements. Parents have to put in 20 hours per student every school year doing volunteer work and other approved school activities. Have one kid in middle school and another in high school? That's 40 hours a year. And if you don't meet the requirement, your kids can lose their eligibility to attend.

Imagine buying a house in Middleton, getting your kids settled into school, making friends, getting to know their teachers, and then losing your job. Now, on top of worrying about paying the bills and finding another job, you've got to worry about your kids being forced out of school too.

I understand that charter schools have different rules, but this seems pretty ridiculous for a school that's funded by taxpayers.

Why should a kid's ability to stay in a public school depend on where their parents work? And how is it acceptable for a publicly funded school to operate this way?

The school audit for FY 2025 shows receiving the standard FEFP (Florida Education Finance Program) per student funding that all schools receive - $28.3m. The audit also shows other support and contributions (the Developer and related subsidiary companies) of $30.6m. In addition, there were "Capital Grants" of $6.85m. Never mind that the Developer spent roughly $500m to build the schools.

Based on what I've read about the school, it is one of the top schools in the state. Families that qualify, have their kids attending what amounts to, in many other states, private K-12 school education. The benefit, worth between $150k to $300k PER CHILD, only requires the parents to participate in the school through volunteering time and 1 of the parents with a qualifying job.

That is one heck of a non-taxed benefit to the parents...

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Brwne

The school audit for FY 2025 shows receiving the standard FEFP (Florida Education Finance Program) per student funding that all schools receive - $28.3m. .

I believe Florida pays about $9500/student.

By way of comparison, MA pays between $16,000-$30,000/student.

In New Mexico, it's about $14,000/student.

In Alabama, $7800/student.

So the numbers vary significantly, depending on where you are ... based on a simple, cursory search.

[Taltarzac725]

There was a couple quite a ways back who used to bring their pooch to Doggie Doo Run Run. The woman was a teacher at the Villages School so I heard a lot about the rules of the school. Her child also attended the various schools.

[Howdy]

The Villages Schools have & have always had a 100% Positive reputation, for putting the children their # 1 Priority. Evidence of that is the % of students that go on to higher education.

I will hand it to the developer of The Villages to having the foresight of putting in place schools for those workers & their families. They deserve a tremendous about of appreciation for do that.

I visited a few weeks ago & saw the schools & the adjoining sport facilities, in Eastport/Middleton three words _ " WOW " " AMAZING " & " Incredible " !

[Howdy]

The Villages Schools have & have always had a 100% Positive reputation, for putting the children their # 1 Priority. Evidence of that is the % of students that go on to higher education.

I will hand it to the developer of The Villages to having the foresight of putting in place schools for those workers & their families. They deserve a tremendous about of appreciation for do that.

I visited a few weeks ago & saw the schools & the adjoining sport facilities, in Eastport/Middleton three words ______ " WOW " " AMAZING " & " Incredible " !

[blueash]

The charter school not only requires a parent to work in the Villages but there is a priority list. The higher, more white collar job parent gets priority over a blue collar worker if there is not enough space. While I understand why the Morse family set it up this way, to induce doctors, bankers etc to work here, it creates a much less diverse student body than Sumter county. Additionally, many of the students who are being supported by Sumter school taxes don't live in Sumter county.

The rule is a parent has to work here, not live here. Meanwhile our true public schools are falling apart. The Wildwood Jr high has a cafeteria too small to accommodate all its students while the Charter school has a magnificent theater and football stadium.

This is how we reinforce the oligarchy. This is how we make sure that those who are lower class stay lower class by failing to give them the hand up we are giving the kids of doctors and bankers. Born on third base and think you hit a home run. And with all that extra advantage... what is the product the Charter School produces. National Merit Scholarship finalists are the top 1% of high school students based on test scores in your state, not nationally. Villages Charter School. None or one most years. About 250 students graduate per year.

[Teed_Off]

Originally Posted by jimhoward

I would imagine the reason is that it is in the charter. I wonder if parents would support or oppose a change to the charter. On the one hand, they risk their kids getting kicked out of the best school in the area if they lose their job. On the other hand, they are not competing with every family in the area for the limited enrollment spots at the school.

People love exclusivity when they are included, but hate it when they are excluded.

The rules are upfront and not at all complicated, unless you’re trying to game the system. And parents don’t have any say in changing the rules.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by blueash

The charter school not only requires a parent to work in the Villages but there is a priority list. The higher, more white collar job parent gets priority over a blue collar worker if there is not enough space. While I understand why the Morse family set it up this way, to induce doctors, bankers etc to work here, it creates a much less diverse student body than Sumter county. Additionally, many of the students who are being supported by Sumter school taxes don't live in Sumter county.

The rule is a parent has to work here, not live here. Meanwhile our true public schools are falling apart. The Wildwood Jr high has a cafeteria too small to accommodate all its students while the Charter school has a magnificent theater and football stadium.

This is how we reinforce the oligarchy. This is how we make sure that those who are lower class stay lower class by failing to give them the hand up we are giving the kids of doctors and bankers. Born on third base and think you hit a home run. And with all that extra advantage... what is the product the Charter School produces. National Merit Scholarship finalists are the top 1% of high school students based on test scores in your state, not nationally. Villages Charter School. None or one most years. About 250 students graduate per year.

The list appears to prioritize jobs that work closest to the Villages (direct employees) but includes jobs only slightly associated with the Villages. Not white collar to blue collar but direct employee to peripherally related.

From what I can see, the Developer invested a significant amount of money to build the charter school facilities. As a public school, the county leases the charter facilities so the Developer is recovering that investment but not very quickly. The charter schools had a "rich uncle moneybags" to buy things, the "true public schools" can find private donors or can acquire public money. Chances are, the same public that is envious of the charter schools won't want to open their wallets to pay for similar facilities for the "true public schools."

As a well educated and fairly successful graduate of a "true public school," I don't think charter schools are how we reinforce any oligarchy. Rather, I think that argument is how we excuse poor performance from the public schools. Trim excess management roles, fix poor performing educators, require parental involvement, spend the money necessary to provide adequate facilities, and stop blaming "the oligarchy."

[Joecooool418]

Originally Posted by Brwne

That is one heck of a non-taxed benefit to the parents...

Until they lose their job.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Brwne

The school audit for FY 2025 shows receiving the standard FEFP (Florida Education Finance Program) per student funding that all schools receive - $28.3m. The audit also shows other support and contributions (the Developer and related subsidiary companies) of $30.6m. In addition, there were "Capital Grants" of $6.85m. Never mind that the Developer spent roughly $500m to build the schools.

Based on what I've read about the school, it is one of the top schools in the state. Families that qualify, have their kids attending what amounts to, in many other states, private K-12 school education. The benefit, worth between $150k to $300k PER CHILD, only requires the parents to participate in the school through volunteering time and 1 of the parents with a qualifying job.

That is one heck of a non-taxed benefit to the parents...

Don't they pay school taxes?

[Altavia]

Having volunteered a few times working with the students, I'm truly impressed with these young people. Love seeing them go to prom in their golf carts.

Excellent staff and facilities. Great pareve involvement. They receive a lot of support and structure and respond well.

One teacher mentioned behavior is excellent - students are aware that another student may be child of their parents boss :-)

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by jimhoward

People love exclusivity when they are included, but hate it when they are excluded.

Great line. So true.

[shut the front door]

Originally Posted by blueash

The charter school not only requires a parent to work in the Villages but there is a priority list. The higher, more white collar job parent gets priority over a blue collar worker if there is not enough space. While I understand why the Morse family set it up this way, to induce doctors, bankers etc to work here, it creates a much less diverse student body than Sumter county. Additionally, many of the students who are being supported by Sumter school taxes don't live in Sumter county.

The rule is a parent has to work here, not live here. Meanwhile our true public schools are falling apart. The Wildwood Jr high has a cafeteria too small to accommodate all its students while the Charter school has a magnificent theater and football stadium.

This is how we reinforce the oligarchy. This is how we make sure that those who are lower class stay lower class by failing to give them the hand up we are giving the kids of doctors and bankers. Born on third base and think you hit a home run. And with all that extra advantage... what is the product the Charter School produces. National Merit Scholarship finalists are the top 1% of high school students based on test scores in your state, not nationally. Villages Charter School. None or one most years. About 250 students graduate per year.

Probably should have read post #11.

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

The list appears to prioritize jobs that work closest to the Villages (direct employees) but includes jobs only slightly associated with the Villages. Not white collar to blue collar but direct employee to peripherally related.

From what I can see, the Developer invested a significant amount of money to build the charter school facilities. As a public school, the county leases the charter facilities so the Developer is recovering that investment but not very quickly. The charter schools had a "rich uncle moneybags" to buy things, the "true public schools" can find private donors or can acquire public money. Chances are, the same public that is envious of the charter schools won't want to open their wallets to pay for similar facilities for the "true public schools."

As a well educated and fairly successful graduate of a "true public school," I don't think charter schools are how we reinforce any oligarchy. Rather, I think that argument is how we excuse poor performance from the public schools. Trim excess management roles, fix poor performing educators, require parental involvement, spend the money necessary to provide adequate facilities, and stop blaming "the oligarchy."

Well said.