San Bernardino charter school named for Margaret Hill fails to get OK – San Bernardino Sun

A proposed San Bernardino charter school named for community icon Margaret Hill failed to win approval but could still be established.

The Dr. Margaret Hill Academy, pitched to the San Bernardino school board, did not make it to a vote. School board member Felicia Alexander made a motion in favor of the school but was met with silence by fellow board members at the Tuesday, Jan. 14, meeting.

RELATED: Charter school named for late educator Margaret Hill pitched in San Bernardino

After a couple of awkward moments, board President Mayra Ceballos asked if that meant the motion would die. A staff member said “yep” and the board moved to the next agenda item.

San Bernardino school board members did not respond to requests for comment as Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 22.

“District staff analyzed the petition and made a recommendation to approve with conditions,” district spokesperson MaryRone Goodwin, said in a Tuesday, Jan. 21, email. “There was a motion made to approve during last Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting, but having received no second, the item was deemed to be denied.” 

In a Dec. 30 report, district officials recommended approval of a five-year contract if the charter school signed a memo of understanding by the end of February outlining a plan between the district and the school to address concerns. They include:

•  A desire for clarification on the educational program, which district officials said could be laid out in a document.
• The school would need an approved application from the Desert or Los Angeles Special Education Local Plan Areas, which ensure services for special education students. The charter school has applied, but the district sought an outline of the roles and responsibilities until its approval.
• The charter school’s staff needs proper credentials.
• The district sought safeguards in the governance of the school, citing the fact that Bowman would have authority in hiring and payroll, including over husband. The district called that a conflict of interest.
• The school needs to provide a lease and proof of insurance that meets district standards.
• The district said the school’s budget is off and it would need to plan for low enrollment.
•  The school needs to increase staff salaries.

The main petitioner for the charter school, Shinay Bowman, an assistant superintendent for the Upland Unified School District, said that, while she was disheartened by the board’s move, she plans to appeal the decision to the San Bernardino County Board of Education.

“The recent decision regarding the charter petition for Dr. Margaret Hill Academy left myself and many supporters who attended the meeting in shock,” Bowman said in the email. “Especially because the district staff report recommended the board approve the school with conditions to be worked out in a memorandum of understanding.”

In the meeting, Bowman laid out answers to a few of the concerns staff had. She said that the school has a projected budget for the first year that includes enrollment between 70 and 100 students. She promised safeguards to prevent nepotism and told the district that once  the school was approved it would lease a space and provide documentation of insurance.

Bowman added that she planned to follow the changes recommended by district officials.

After an appeal is filed, the county school board would have 90 days to hold a public hearing and vote on the matter, Bowman said. If the appeal is approved, the county would be authorizing the school to open in San Bernardino, Bowman said.

The charter school would serve about 100 students between sixth and seventh grade in its first year, which was set to be the 2025-26 school year. It would eventually serve up to 350 students in the community near Baseline Street and Waterman Avenue.

Charter schools are free public schools but are exempt from some rules that govern traditional schools.