The East Carbon City Council discussed the possibility of creating a charter school for East Carbon youth to attend. The council discussed the matter at a special meeting on Tuesday, May 31.
The meeting, which was initially scheduled for Tuesday, May 24, was set back a week due to the absence of the majority of council members.
Councilmember Joyce Caviness has been in charge of researching the possibility of the charter school.
The school would be an alternative for East Carbon youth that would otherwise have to attend Carbon High School. Rather than traveling to Price on a daily basis for schooling, a charter school could give students the choice of staying local to attend school.
It has yet to be decided whether the school would be kindergarten through 12th grade or only seventh through 12th grade. That issue will be discussed at a later time.
If the charter school is decided upon, it will take from anywhere between 18 and 24 months to get the school up and running.
Councilmember Caviness brought up the need for educators or teachers to form a board to work on the charter school project. The educators would help by knowing certain school board regulations.
Caviness requested city support for the project. She asked if East Carbon’s name could be used on the charter school applications. Some parties involved with the charter believe that it would be easier to gain endorsement if the city’s name was on the applications.
The donation of land was also requested by Caviness. Another alternative was presented by other council members who pointed out that if Petersen Elementary, located in Sunnyside, moves into the East Carbon High School building, that Sunnyside might be able to donate the old Petersen building for use by the future charter school.
It was also stated by Caviness that there would be no need for funding from the city. She stated that East Carbon qualified for several grants, including federal grants starting at $350,000.
Caviness also brought up the possibility of naming the school Book Cliff Academy. This name had good response from members of the council along with members of the audience.
Councilmember David Maggio showed his support by saying, “I’m all for it,” if there was no travel necessary for students to attend school.
Other members of the council had similar reactions to the idea of creating a charter school for East Carbon and Sunnyside residents.
A motion to allow the use of the city’s name on the charter passed unanimously.
Caviness and parties involved with the proposed charter will meet in the Bicentennial Building on Thursday, June 9, at 6 p.m. to further discuss the charter school.
In an unrelated matter, Caviness also discussed the addition and change of speed limit signs for an area in Columbia. The city plans to purchase several signs which read “reduced speed ahead” and “speed limit 20” for the area to cut down the amount of speeding in the area.
This was supported by all members of the council.
In another matter, the council decided to hire two part time workers between the ages of 16 and 18. The workers would aid East Carbon’s Maintenance Department for six weeks to help with Community Daze. The council hopes this will help to ensure the cleanliness of the city after the event has passed.
Councilman Maggio made a motion to hire the two part-time employees for six weeks. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Caviness. It passed unanimously.
Finally, Mayor Dale Andrews addressed the need to adopt Resolution 4-05-A, which increases the monthly fee to resident from $5.50 to $9.50. Andrews stated that the state needs the adoption of the resolution before the start of sewer production.
Councilmember Darlene Kuhns made a motion to pass the resolution and it was seconded by Councilmember Joe Manley. The resolution passed unanimously and goes into effect on June 1.
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