South Carolina Policymakers Propose Allowing Faculty to Serve on Conversion Charter Boards

http://www.charleston.net/assets/webPages/departmental/news/Stories.aspx?section=localnews&tableId=134306&pubDate=3/12/2007

South Carolina only has two conversion charter schools, both in Charleston County. Last year, lawmakers changed state law to prohibit charter school boards from having members who were paid employees of those schools. In response, local lawmakers in Charleston have proposed an amendment to state law that would allow employees of conversions that were chartered before 2006 to also serve on the school's governing board. Bob Bohnstengel, principal of James Island Charter High, had requested the amendment because the faculty, school community and county school board approved his school's charter which called for faculty members to serve on the school's board. The charter school is governed by a triangle of parents, teachers and community members, and "it's beautiful," he said. "It's one that works for us." The bill got a second reading in the House last week and it could get a final vote before moving to the Senate as early as this week.

Source: Charleston Post and Courier (registration required)
Date: 03/11/2007