To the Community of San Rafael:

Please join us in our attempt to block the petition by IPSO to start a charter school in San Rafael City School District in 2017:

If this passes, the IPSO school will be taking money from the San Rafael City School District, which is a basic aid district.  Basic Aid funding means that San Rafael City School District gets a base amount of funding each year from property taxes, not a per pupil amount, so the money that goes to IPSO will be a complete diversion of money from existing programs/staffing.  The school, which plans to open in 2017, would serve a class of approximately 132 per grade with a total of 538 students in four years. Their mission is to serve the kids who fall into the "achievement gap", which is made up of largely low income and English Language learner students.  Though a noble cause, the solution of creating an entire separate school to get these students up to grade level standards, rather than fortify and enhance already existing programs (AVID, a bilingual college and career advisor, increased EL support/coaching),  within the district is misguided and foolish. 

Recent Article in the Marin Independent Journal:

http://www.marinij.com/article/NO/20160823/NEWS/160829919

Financial Cost to San Rafael City School District

The two founders secured a $100,000 grant from silicon valley investors for some start up costs, but it is estimated that the first year, IPSO will leach approximately 1.6 million from the San Rafael City Schools budget to teach the first 130 students.  This figure will grow exponentially with the new grade added each year.  Also, the school will be enrolling students from out of district, taking resources away from district students.

One of the problems with Charter Schools is that there is often no cap as to the amount of money that they take from their host school district, as well as little to no oversight.  One of our two charter schools in Marin, Willow Creek Academy in Sausalito is under intense scrutiny for possible mismanagement of funds, unethical and illegal activity.  See the following link to the story:

http://www.marinij.com/article/NO/20160901/NEWS/160909980

What can you do to stop IPSO?

First, email the following members of the San Rafael City School Board to voice your opposition.  They will be deciding whether to approve the IPSO charter at the next board meeting on September 26th, 2016

• rkertz@srcs.org
• gknell@srcs.org
• ljackson@srcs.org
• mgulati@srcs.org
• ntuatagaloa@srcs.org
• mwatenpaugh@srcs.org (superintendent)

Second, please sign the below petition, showing your support for to keep resources intact for San Rafael City Schools!  It will go directly to the San Rafael City School District Board.

Information Links about Charter Schools:

http://www.kidsnotprofits.com/​

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/05/19/schooled​

 http://www.srcs.org/charter-school