LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - An Arkansas panel that approves charter schools endorsed an academy’s proposal to open a campus for grades kindergarten through 12th.
The Arkansas Charter Authorizing Panel, made up of state education leaders and residents, voted on LISA Academy charter school system’s plans on Tuesday, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. Officials would start by opening elementary grades during the 2022-23 school year in Rogers.
But the Arkansas Board of Education must first approve the project. It would be the charter system’s second campus in Northwest Arkansas and would increase the system’s overall enrollment cap from 3,432 to 4,382.
The academy, which has open enrollment and is publicly funded, prepares students for college by focusing on STEM subjects. This includes science, technology, engineering and math.
Luanne Baroni, assistant superintendent and director of communications for the academy, told the panel that a Rogers campus “clearly meets the criteria for our expansion.”
Organizers for the project found an area where student population exceeds 10,000, Baroni noted. The chosen site is 20 acres (.08 square kilometers) and would be accessible to Rogers and Bentonville residents. Other criteria includes proximity to universities and colleges and a workforce that requires employees to be knowledgeable about STEM subjects.
Greg Rogers, a panel member, expressed concern about how the academy would continue providing students with a decent education amid increasing enrollment.
“There is no denying your growth has been impressive. … How do you keep from getting too big to where students are not being served as well as they are right now?” Rogers asked.
Fatih Bogrek, LISA Superintendent, said maximum enrollment won’t be reached for 13 years. He noted that the academy “grows” its own staff leaders and provides support for new locations.
“We want to keep our current success, and we would like to extend the success to new families and new neighborhoods,” Bogrek said.
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