June 23, 1998
SCHOOL'S OUT FOR GLOBALEDUCATION MINISTER PULLS THE PLUG ON CONTROVERSIAL CHARTER SCHOOL
Education Minister Gary Mar said yesterday the Global Learning Academy, 315 86 Ave. S.E., can't apply to reopen the school this fall. That leaves parents of the 450 students angry and unsure where to enrol their children next year. "It is a tragedy that this school will close and it's particularly tragic for the children who have flourished in this environment," said Bob Wilkins, a lawyer representing the parents in their appeal of Mar's decision. "(Our understanding was) we would have to seek approval directly from the minister of education -- and by the tone of his letter he's not prepared to support that position." Wilkins also has a personal stake in the school's closure -- his son is a student there. "I'm really disappointed for him," he said. "He loved that school and, interestingly enough, the last little while I've spent time talking to children there and they seem to flourish in the environment." The parents were hoping to sidestep the Calgary Board of Education and go straight to the Alberta government for approval of a new charter school membership. Those who want to see the charter school open again will now have to wait until 1999 to apply, said Mar. Wilkins was hopeful that application will be granted. "We're convinced that the school could have continued successfully with some assistance from the government and the Calgary Board of Education," said Wilkins. Mar decided to close the charter school based on recommendations from provincially appointed trustee Lynne Beamer. Angry parents stormed Mar's Calgary office last month, following the announcement. Beamer, whose job was to investigate the academy, said it was having problems with operational costs, personnel issues and lack of agreement between parental groups. She also said the school failed to live up to the charter condition of providing individual study for students. Next Story: ACCIDENT INJURES SKYDIVER Previous Story: ROPE IN FUN AT FUND-RAISER
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