[Johnduffy]

I understand the Charter school has sent out 150 letters to parents stating their children will no longer be eligible to attend the school because the high school will not be large enough to handle that many students.
I know this includes several Juniors that won't be able to graduate from the high school next year.
This seems extremely unfair and not well thought out.
Does anyone have any info on this matter.

[Jayhawk]

Old news. This was in a thread last week on here or the online newspaper. Can't recall the title but you might search and find it. Bottom line is everyone knew the rules when they enrolled.

[graciegirl]

Class size has been imposed by the state causing the school to limit the number of students.. It is a private school with entrance rules. If a parent is no longer employed by The Villages their child is not allowed to go to the charter school. Everyone knows the rules when they enroll.

This is just one of the things that will be painful for people who will no longer work for The Villages as they stop building.

[njbchbum]

Here is the article from a local paper which website can be highlighted here:
About 140 students sent packing from The Villages Charter School - Daily Commercial: News

[janmcn]

Everyone knows the rules, but the problem is those rules can be changed every year.

[spring_chicken]

Originally Posted by janmcn

Everyone knows the rules, but the problem is those rules can be changed every year.

And they were. They eliminated one of the "qualifiers" that has kept many Jr's in that school for 11 years. Now they are sent packing.
Ruthless.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by spring_chicken

And they were. They eliminated one of the "qualifiers" that has kept many Jr's in that school for 11 years. Now they are sent packing.
Ruthless.

Not ruthless. Rules. It happens all of the time. Kids are moved when their parents move with their jobs. The reason that kids are allowed to attend the charter school is that their parents work for The Villages but the school still must follow state rules about class size. It is going to get worse as The Villages downsizes it's building business, no longer builds homes, and fewer people are employed by The Villages. .

.

[Jejuca]

Class size rules have been in place for several years. The Villages Charter School should have been well aware of the rules. One of the problems with charter schools is that they are very poorly regulated by the state. I worked in both public and charter schools in one of the largest school districts in Florida and it is only recently that Florida has even attempted to hold charter schools accountable.

[outlaw]

"Parents said the students are being disqualified as the result of a new policy requiring business owners to lease a property directly from The Villages. If they sublease the property from a non-Villages entity, they are disqualified, parents said. When she contacted the school, Larue said she was told: “You can find another job or if your boss rents an office directly from the Villages, it would be OK.”

I'm sure the developer has a good reason for this. Let's all just be calm and see how this plays out. And if you don't like it, you can move.

[spring_chicken]

Originally Posted by Jejuca

Class size rules have been in place for several years. The Villages Charter School should have been well aware of the rules. One of the problems with charter schools is that they are very poorly regulated by the state. I worked in both public and charter schools in one of the largest school districts in Florida and it is only recently that Florida has even attempted to hold charter schools accountable.

Bingo.

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by outlaw

"Parents said the students are being disqualified as the result of a new policy requiring business owners to lease a property directly from The Villages. If they sublease the property from a non-Villages entity, they are disqualified, parents said. When she contacted the school, Larue said she was told: “You can find another job or if your boss rents an office directly from the Villages, it would be OK.”

I'm sure the developer has a good reason for this. Let's all just be calm and see how this plays out. And if you don't like it, you can move.

If your boss rents an office directly from the Villages, your kids can stay. If your boss subleases the property from a non-Villages entity, your kids must go. It sounds like these kids are being used as pawns so that the Villages can rent more commercial space. Unbelievably sad.

[Jayhawk]

The Charter School is an employee benefit, just like a 401k, health insurance, or any other work related benefit. And yes, they can all change periodically for whatever reason.

There is also an issue of supply and demand. The eligibility rules have different tiers. If there are more eligible employees in the top tier, why should they be kept out while lower tier employees enjoy the benefit.

This is very similar to someone relocating for a new job. Kids have to change schools. My own had to (one a junior in high school) and they lived through it.

[Villager Joyce]

One of the professionals we work with has a position that is charter school qualified. She decided not to enroll her children in charter school because it could prevent her from a career change. She understood the positives and negatives, and made the decision she felt was best for her and her family.

[sunnyatlast]

Originally Posted by janmcn

If your boss rents an office directly from the Villages, your kids can stay. If your boss subleases the property from a non-Villages entity, your kids must go. It sounds like these kids are being used as pawns so that the Villages can rent more commercial space. Unbelievably sad.

Maybe y'all should ask those non-villages entities to build and fund operations of the additional school buildings, facilities, and staffing to accommodate their employees' children, as the TV developers did for their employees.

Those non-TV employers, too, could form a FL workplace charter school, or fund expansion of TVCS. IF they take such risks with their money, to build a more motivated and happier workforce.

[Bizdoc]

Originally Posted by sunnyatlast

Maybe y'all should ask those non-villages entities to build and fund operations of the additional school buildings, facilities, and staffing to accommodate their employees' children, as the TV developers did for their employees.

Those non-TV employers, too, could form a FL workplace charter school, or fund expansion of TVCS. IF they take such risks with their money, to build a more motivated and happier workforce.

Well put.