Virtual charter school put on hold

Greenfield - The Technology and Discovery Center, a proposed charter school blending individualized learning via computer with face-to-face classroom experiences, will be a little longer in coming to the Whitnall School District.

The school that was to open in September 2012 now will open in September 2013 at the earliest.

The problem is that the planning consultant recommended by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction with whom Whitnall school officials had been working is no longer available. That makes it extremely difficult for the district to meet deadlines for using a state planning grant Whitnall won for the school, Superintendent Lowell Holtz said.

As a result, the School Board released the grant and the district will apply for another one in April. Holtz said chances are "very high" that the district can win a grant next year.

Charter and virtual schools remain high on the political agenda, he said. But it's always possible that someone else could come along with a similar idea and scoop up the grant.

The planning grant from the DPI was for $225,000 per year for three years.

The urgency to move ahead with the virtual charter school is not present anymore because of changes at the state level. So, Holtz said, he feels better about holding off than he does about moving ahead.

Board member Nancy Zaborowski said the district could use more time to develop the charter school.

"I do feel better waiting on this," she said.

The Technology and Discovery Center eventually will be inside Whitnall High School and be for grades nine to 12. It is meant for students who are interested in more self-paced, individualized learning.

The charter school would incorporate online curricula and electronic collaboration with teachers. It also would have networked virtual learning opportunities with other students.