County's First Charter School Is Set to Open
Approval Follows Series of Delays

By Megan Greenwell
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 10, 2007

The St. Mary's County Board of Education voted unanimously yesterday to open its first charter school, just two weeks after those plans appeared nearly gone.

The start of the Chesapeake Public Charter School had been put on hold at a tense board meeting April 25, when St. Mary's Superintendent Michael J. Martirano said he was frustrated by organizers' slow progress on fundraising, curriculum and staffing issues. He said that the school would not begin on time in August if its planners did not make up an $85,000 fundraising shortfall and identify a viable candidate to be its education director by this week.

The seven members of the executive committee of the Chesapeake Public Charter School Alliance said they were angered by Martirano's presentation, which they said misrepresented their status. They said the fundraising efforts were fulfilled by an anonymous donor, and the names of several candidates for the school's top job had been submitted to the school system.

But yesterday, members of the school board and the alliance were all smiles at the conclusion of a 30-minute speech by Martirano that culminated in a recommendation to open the school as scheduled. Alliance Vice President Maribeth Boeke Ganzell, who two weeks ago called Martirano "deceitful," wrapped the superintendent in a bear hug.

"I just want to let you know how much this means to us," Ganzell said, grinning.

The publicly funded, independently operated Chesapeake Public Charter School will become the 24th charter in Maryland and the first in the fast-growing southern part of the state, where test scores from the three county school systems -- Charles, Calvert and St. Mary's -- typically beat state averages. Of the state's charter schools, 16 are in Baltimore.

The school will open with 160 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in a former racket club in Great Mills. It will have smaller class sizes and a more hands-on approach than a traditional public school, organizers said.

Backers of the St. Mary's school, all but one of whom are parent volunteers, said that their desire for the alternative curriculum and year-round schedule is not a product of failing schools but a commitment to offering choices within the public school system.

"I know this is the right choice for my son," said Hollywood resident Candy Cain, who pleaded with Martirano during the meeting yesterday to allow the school to open. "We all want the right thing for our kids, and the charter school is just another great option."

The school was scheduled to open in 2005, but plans were set aside after the lease on the original site fell through. Fundraising troubles and delays in the search for an education director, among other issues, nearly kept the school from opening this fall.

Late last month, an anonymous donor committed to providing up to $85,000 in start-up costs. Since the board's meeting two weeks ago, Martirano said, school officials have begun interviewing candidates for the director position. He also said that the school's site plan is in accordance with regulations.

"I'm pleased to say all the criteria have been met," Martirano said. "This year, we have had 25 schools in St. Mary's County; now we will have 26."