Here is a story about a charter school in Portland that is going to remain with us. Currently they are rallying for PPS to renew their charter. They need the communities support. (Healthy communities)
Come to the renewel hearing March 30th 2009 7pm at: 501 North Dixon Street, Portland, Oregon 97227
Scroll down for links to see LEP in the news!
LEP we love you!
LÊP Charter High School
2044 E Burnside St.
Portland, Or. 97214
503.254.2537
Fact Sheet on LEP and PPS
The Leadership and Entrepreneurial High School (LEP) is a successful charter school in SE Portland. Their charter is up for renewal March 30th, 2009 7pm. This school is unquestionably exceptional. It is innovative, has well developed curriculum and solid community support.
PPS superintendent Carole Smith is making the recommendation that the schools charter not be renewed because of financial problems. It is important to mention that LEP used a auditor recommended by PPS and this auditor did not get done in a timely matter.
The reason that LEP has these problems is PPS. PPS has received money from the state based on the students at LEP and has not passed it on. PPS has kept LEP’s money. And now they are threatening to close a successful and loved charter school by recommending its charter not be renewed.
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PPS has withheld monies they have received for students in poverty. 65% of LEP students fit the criteria. PPS provides money for 17%. $411,858 (in the past three years)
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PPS has withheld School improvement fund money. PPS receives this money based one the # of students at LEP, yet they do not pass it on to them. $47,000 total
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PPS has withheld foster care funding. The state provides money for each student in the foster care system. PPS receives the money based on the qualifying numbers at LEP, it does not pass it on. $68,000
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PPS dropped the free lunch program at LEP, with a two week notice and no reason why. (Cost to LEP so far, $14,000)
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LEP receives $6,000/ student vs the $10,000+/ students that district schools receive. With that LEP must pay all their operating expenses. The largest of these is rent.
What is amazing is that LEP is able to provide an exceptional education and environment to their students for significantly less money. This is a sustainable exceptional model of education. We need the community to know what PPS has done. We need PPS to support LEP, not to reduce their resources and then close them down. We need everyone to know about this. We need LEP.
What LEP is doing:
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Raising money (the goal is $100,000) we are working on 1000 $100 donations
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Getting the word out about LEP and about PPS’s lack of financial integrity
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Maintaining a fabulous school through this challenging time.
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Getting everyone we can to the board hearing on March 30th when the board votes for LEP’s charter renewal.
Here are some links:
http://www.lephigh.org/ (the schools website)
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/03/letters_to_the_editor_earmarks.html (Channel 2)
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/03/letters_to_the_editor_earmarks.html (Letter to editor in Oregonian)
http://open.salon.com/blog/moniquec/2009/03/18/lep_high_faces_possible_closure (Another Blog)
http://www.opb.org/thinkoutloud/shows/rethinking-schools/
http://blog.oregonlive.com/myoregon/
(letter in an oregonianblog)
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/03/portland_charter_school_faces.html(oregonianarticle)
http://www.kptv.com/money/18944763/detail.html#-
(on channel 12)
