Oppose The SSCA Charter School In Valpo, Chesterton, Portage

Written By: Christopher Pupillo, Valparaiso IN

Public Hearing on September 14, 2016 at 5pm
at the Library Service Center, Westchester Library
100 W Indiana Ave, Chesterton, IN

Area public schools have been under assault by a barrage of funding cuts and legislative disdain, manifested in staffing and program cuts which have contributed to a growing statewide teacher shortage. For public schools in Valparaiso, Chesterton, and Portage a new threat has emerged, this time in the form of an unwanted and un-needed charter school.

The South Shore Classical Academy (SSCA) aims to bring a “classical education” to area students. For those unfamiliar with so-called classical schools, think high-priced private prep school. This charter is the brainchild of Valparaiso University professors, who from atop their “ivory tower” perches seem to think our high-performing schools are beneath their academic pedigrees, and presumably that of their children. Unlike the stories told by legislators that charter schools were meant to provide a “way out” for minority students stuck in failing inner-city school, this charter is being developed to create that private prep school experience, but on the taxpayers dime.

The result of this exercise in personal educational indulgence would come at the expense of area public schools to the tune of more than $4,000,000 annually, if SSCA enrollment projections are met.

Simply put, that equates to teachers cuts and program elimination.

These cuts would be especially painful for the tax payers of Valparaiso who approved an unprecedented two referendums (tax hikes), one of which is meant to restore previous teacher cuts brought about by legislative cuts to funding Valpo schools. That general fund referendum would also allow for expanded academic programming intended to preserve Valparaiso’s reputation as a world-class public school system, a reputation which contributes mightily to the quality of life and economic vitality of our city.

Adding insult to injury, the authorizing body for this charter school, Grace Theological Seminary, will make their decision in private, completely away from public scrutiny. That’s right, the decision to syphon away from your public schools millions in tax payer dollars will be made by a private entity with zero transparency. Of course, Grace will receive a healthy 3% of that $4,000,000 in taxpayer money each year for their efforts.

There’s still time to act, but we need your help.

First, contact Rep. Ed Soliday (800-382-9841) and Sen. Ed Charbonneau (800-382-9467) and ask them to weigh in opposed to this charter school theft of public school financial support, and to fix the mess they created by allowing private charters authorizers to operate in the shadows.

Closer to home, tax payers should contact their local elected officials, especially Mayors Costas and Snyder, both of whom have met with representatives of the SSCA, according to their application. Tell them they need to stand up for tax payers and our schools, and stand opposed to this charter.

Finally, residents of Valparaiso, Chesterton and Portage need to show up to the only public hearing on this charter, to be held this Wednesday, 5 p.m. at the Westchester Library in Chesterton.  

Wear “Red For Public Ed” and let your voices be heard. Stand up for our schools, our teachers, our students, and for tax payers.