Academy fails to win Fern Ridge charter.

Byline: Anne Williams The Register-Guard

ELMIRA - In an emotional meeting with an awkward ending, the Fern Ridge School Board adjourned Wednesday night with no decision on a charter application from the Willamette Leadership Academy - a move that appears to amount to denial.

In a whirlwind courtship, the Eugene public charter school - formerly called Pioneer Youth Corps Military Academy - had sought a new home in the Fern Ridge district after the Eugene School Board denied its charter renewal last month. With little time to spare before the start of school, academy leaders said they would need approval from Fern Ridge this week.

But after a lengthy public hearing, the four board members in attendance split down the middle. Bruce Cutshall and Kris Galloway backed the charter request, saying the academy would offer a solid program and generate revenue for the cash-strapped district, chiefly through a rental agreement at the now-empty Central Elementary School. The district would also receive a portion of the per-pupil dollars that flow from the state.

"I am convinced that this is a possible money-making situation," said Cutshall, who disclosed that he is close friends with the academy's board chairman, David Wright. "I am convinced that this is a way to help some people make it, especially kids."

Gayle Townsend said her sole concern is whether the charter school would cost the district money, primarily through the staff time needed to administer the program and provide special education services. She said she had yet to be persuaded by the academy's assurances that it will not.

"The bottom line for me is, is it going to cost a dollar for this district," Townsend said. If so, she added, "I can't consider it."

Nick Russo shared that worry, but also said the monthlong process has been uncomfortably "frantic and rushed," especially with so many district employees and families away and unaware. He pointed out that the board, by agreeing to review the charter, unknowingly violated its own charter school policy, which says applications for charter schools aiming for a fall opening must be in by the end of the previous January.

Superintendent Ivan Hernandez, who has championed the proposal, said the board could opt to waive that policy.

Unluckily for the academy, Joe Zaludek, who has voiced strong support for the charter school, was unable to attend. He likely would have cast a deciding vote in favor.

As it was, Cutshall's motion to approve died with a tie vote, leaving the board in a quandary about what to do next.

Visibly upset, academy co-founder Cate Lay suggested calling Zaludek for a vote-by-phone, but that would have violated policy requiring board members to hear the preceding discussion. Cutshall suggested suspending those rules, but his colleagues declined.

The board discussed the possibility of meeting today, but quickly realized that would violate the 24-hour public notice rule. Townsend said she was leaving town today, and Cutshall will be away indefinitely after Friday.

The academy, housed in the former Eugene Moose Lodge at 1666 W. 12th Ave., serves primarily at-risk youth in grades six through 12. It follows a military model aimed at building teamwork, self-esteem and leadership. Students perform drills and wear uniforms.

The program began 10 years ago as a private alternative program, but gained charter status after passage of 1999 legislation. Its three-year run as a charter school was troubled from the start, with neighbors lodging complaints about noisy drills.

In its 4-2 vote to deny renewal, the Eugene board cited continuing concerns about the academy's curriculum, financial stability and prickly relations with the district.

About a half-dozen speakers Wednesday cautioned against charter approval, saying there were too many unanswered questions. Twelve speakers urged approval, including founders Bill and Cate Lay, several academy staff members, parents, students and Fern Ridge-area residents.

Prior to adjournment, the Lays told the board they would seek direction from their board should they be denied, but said the two most likely options would be continuing on in Eugene as a scaled-down alternative program or shutting down and moving elsewhere.