Says CAPE is the future

The Pleasant Valley School Board's recent decision to close Los Senderos Open School and eliminate its 30-year open philosophy program resulted in LSOS leadership applying to become a charter school. The paperwork for Camarillo Academy of Progressive Education (CAPE) has been filed, and plans are well underway for CAPE to open in the Fall of 2007. The main thing standing in the way is the board's approval.

For unknown reasons, the district canceled the April 5 school board meeting, the first meeting since voting for drastic changes to Camarillo schools, as well as the first opportunity for public hearing on the charter. The board's next chance for public hearing on the charter is April 19, one day shy of their statemandated 30day deadline.

The board and district must be proactive in approving this charter. The district is legally required to approve a legitimate charter application, and the CAPE application exceeds all necessary requirements. If PVSD does not approve the charter, an appeal will be submitted to the county, which has been very supportive of other charter endeavors, or the state, that strongly supports charter schools. CAPE's approval is inevitable.

By approving the charter and letting CAPE get underway, the district will know exactly how many students to accommodate for the upcoming 200708 academic year and be able to start district restructuring with CAPE in mind. Delaying the unavoidable only leaves the district to scramble to continue to figure out how to address the needs of this community, prolonging the state of flux and uncertainty that it has already brought upon so many Camarillo families, especially those from Los Senderos. Why wait? Approve CAPE now. Gloria M. Miele Camarillo