So I got an interesting e-mail today (actually went to all of the candidates - would love to see every other candidate to state their preference as well but that won't happen) that made an argument that Robbinsdale Area Schools should sell Pilgrim Lane to Beacon Academy.

I thought about just posting my reply but I will explain my position a little more here.  First, let me be very clear, I suppose the divesture of extra buildings.  If they are old and not being used we should get rid of them.  If we don't - why in the world did we shuffle all of those kids!

So onto the heart of the e-mail.  Should we sell to Beacon academy?  I remember one of the board members (cannot remember which one - I think I know who but don't want to post the name as I'm not 100% sure) saying that Beacon "steals" children from Robbinsdale.  First, I think we should stop using this type of language in the public.  All it does is simply energize those who believe the district is bad.  Second, the students are not being stolen.  Parents made a decision.  What we should do instead of name calling is work with charter schools to find out why parents are leaving.  Charter schools have the same state and national requirements as do the "traditional" public school. 

(I'm going to talk about Beacon specifically here only because that was the school identified in the e-mail message.)

So should we be afraid?  No.  First, charter schools are not the savior to public education.  They face the same challenges as Robbinsdale.  If you look at Beacon you will immediately notice that they did not pass AYP and in 8th graders Robbinsdale students actually tested better in the Meets or Exceeds MCA standards in both reading and math.  (8th grade selected as Beacon is K-8 school.)  Second, charter schools increase competition with the local neighbor.  Research shows that local school typically make changes to offer more programs and they improve communication with parents.

Robbinsdale should not be afraid of a charter school.  Robbinsdale should work specifically with Beacon (since they are in-boundary and want Pilgrim-Lane) to ask parents why they choose Beacon but more specifically ask why where they believe Robbinsdale is failing.  There had to be some reason they selected Beacon over Robbinsdale.  This is a win-win for Robbinsdale and Beacon.  First, they will not grow large enough to take significant numbers from Robbinsdale.  You could make it part of the lease/sale agreement.  For Beacon, it is in their best interest to be friends with the larger neighbor.  For Robbinsdale, the insight would be absolutely invaluable.

Let's not be afraid of them.  We have nothing to worry about except for Robbinsdale getting better.