The North Shore community has repeatedly demonstrated its need for an alternative to the transition from elementary schools to the intimidating 7th -12th grade high school setting currently offered to North Shore students. Since 2010, a group of community professionals has collaborated and, following the Hawaii State Charter School Application guidelines, produced an innovative blended learning charter school application. Even though the North Shore Middle School governing board submitted a worthy application and believe that they will prevail in their appeal for a charter for North Shore students, they are concerned because of a potential two-year delay in the charter granting process.

The North Shore Middle School wants the Hawaii Board of Education to approve their appeal, which is scheduled to be decided upon before April 1, 2013.

Additionally, this Thursday, March 14th, the Charter Commission will address a proposed change to the application timeline to “consider a recommendation to initiate the next application process in late 2013/early 2014” (agenda item VII.C.2) which, if approved, could effectively delay the opening of any charter school until at the earliest 2015.