Two SVR Charter School Appeal Hearings Remain

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – Thursday saw the Keystone Central School Board conduct its fifth public meeting regarding the 5-year charter renewal effort from the Sugar Valley Rural Charter School. No board decision was made on the charter school appeal and based on information at the hearing that decision is still some time off.

The hearing was a lengthy process of witness testimonies from Sugar Valley parents and school officials. The session ended after four hours with word that charter school proponents have an additional five witnesses to be heard from.

One Sugar Valley parent explained, “I put my daughter back into the charter school in 10th grade after having no success in academics at Central Mountain.” She continued, “My daughter found that drive to succeed again and her teachers actually put forth an effort into helping my child.”

Richard Miller, the director of the board for SVRC, in an emotional response addressed the Keystone Central School District board and said, “We are a part of this school whether you like it or not. You see us, but I don’t think you hear us. We are doing the best that we can.”

Logan D. Coney, Sugar Valley Rural Charter Schools C.E.O. was asked a series of questions relative to the question of what does the charter school have to offer that the public school doesn’t.

Coney explained, “Our population is extremely diverse, we have a huge special education program with a wide variety of different needs. Our teachers also have a voice and are comfortable talking to the administration. They are risk takers.”

The biggest issue SVRC faced during the meeting was explaining the profoundly low test scores for student exams.

Coney said, “Our tests scores aren’t good” and continued “but our test scores don’t define us.”

Coney explained, “Every student that graduates from SVRC is a success story. We have graduates who go on and do amazing things with their lives.”

The final witness presented by the Sugar Valley Rural Charter School was Carrie Nixon, the school’s director of services.

Nixon reiterated, “I believe in the SVRC because I have had my own personal experience of having to put a child through K-12. I can tell you that it works. SVRC is a thriving, supportive organization.”

No decisions have been made regarding the future for Sugar Valley as of yet. There will be a sixth public meeting July 30, with a concluding hearing, August 27.