Who should be on the State Charter School Board?

In a very good discussion at the UAPCS meeting today, the membership, for the first time in its history, discussed a range of specific candidates for the State Charter School Board that the Association will forward to the Governor.

While still imperfect (because this is the first time UAPCS leadership has undertaken this initiative) the membership was able to come to a consensus on what is needed on the state charter school board:

• Experience in the charter school industry, particularly with writing a charter, founding a school, and serving on a board or in its leadership.
• Humility to understand that the way they did it at their school isn't the only way, nor even necessarily the best way, do do something.
• A desire to serve the schools and hold individual schools accountable, rather than institute bureaucratic accountability and reporting regimes that unnecessarily encumber well-performing schools.
• The need to broadly ensure that the charter section stays independent of USOE and doesn't become infected with bureaucratitis.  

The association voted to support six names, each of whom have specific charter school experience and seem to meet all of the above.  

1. Jennifer Perry, from Endeavor Hall
2. Steve Crandall, from Summit Academy
3. Jim Peterson, from Thomas Edison
4. Kristin Elinkowski, from North Davis Prep
5. Robb Enger, from Providence Hall
6. Eric Amsel, from DaVinci

In addition to these six names forwarded by UAPCS on behalf of charter schools, the "business community" will also forward a name or set of names.  It is possible that one or more of the above may fit under that criteria as well.