State Denies Lacey Charter School Application

The Creative Studies Charter School proposed for Lacey Township was denied by the state Department of Education, citing “deficiencies” within the application.

“Many more parents are now engaged in the discussion about the local public schools, which only benefits students in the long run,” said Pamela Brown, founder of the parent-led charter.

Brown was notified on Monday by the Department of Education that the application was denied.

“The application evaluation focused on assessing the strength of the proposed educational program and the capacity of the founding team to implement that program,” Acting Commissioner Christopher Cerf said in the letter.

The letter did not specifically state why the charter school was denied. Detailed reasons for the decision will be provided to Brown by Jan. 24.

The application was submitted to the state Department of Education for the on Oct. 15, aiming to open for the 2012-13 school year. The school’s philosophy is to increase student’s creativity and flexibility by integrating the arts with academics, she said.

“Creative Studies believes a parent led charter is preferable to a "for profit" or religious initiative to maintain local control of public education,” Brown said. “Our educational approach is hands on and research based on how the arts can help students achieve academically.”

On Tuesday, the to the Department of Education, opposing the charter school.

Superintendent Sandra Brower noted that the application failed to address New Jersey Core Content Standards, the financial impact the school would have on the district, and several discrepancies.

“We are very proud of our public schools in Lacey Township,” Brower said. “We have outstanding teachers, support staff and school leaders who tirelessly serve our students education, emotional and social needs.”

“I do not believe that a charter school in Lacey Township which so narrowly focused on only one discipline can ever meet the needs of our students today or in the future,” she said.

Brown will have the opportunity to appeal the Department of Education’s decision. She did not return calls to confirm whether she would be reapplying.

“Parents need to get actively involved in education now,” she said.

Brown was a co-founder of a South Jersey parent/faculty association for special needs children, and is a NJ Certified Elementary and Art Educator, she said. As a resident of Lacey Township, Brown is the parent of a seventh grade special education student enrolled in a school outside of Lacey.

A representative from the state Department of Education did not immediately return calls for comment.

The letter from Cerf is attached to this story as a PDF.