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York City school board set to vote on possible charter school plan

It’s been a hot debate for more than a year; should York City Schools convert to charter schools or should they remain district-operated. “We believe that...

It’s been a hot debate for more than a year; should York City Schools convert to charter schools or should they remain district-operated.

"We believe that we have what it takes in York City to educate our own kids,” said Clovis Gallon, a teacher. “We don't need you. We don't trust you. You're in it to make money."

Others, however, say a change is needed, especially after new data released by the Pennsylvania Department of Education shows the district is struggling.

"The situation in York is really a failure of the status quo,” said James Paul, who works for the Commonwealth Foundation in support of charter schools. “Their district ranks 499th out of 500 districts; second to worst in the entire state."

On Wednesday evening York City school board members will have the chance to vote on a proposed blended approach which would combine both types of schooling.

Under that plan, three out of the eight schools in the district would be converted to charter schools.

The remaining five would continue to operate under the district.

Then, after five years, all eight schools would be evaluated by a third party member and whichever group performed better would determine the fate of the district moving forward.

While it may seem like a good compromise, both sides remain firm in what they want.

"Teachers and administrators in York have worked on a set of internal improvement plans,” said Pennsylvania State Education Association spokesman David Droderic. “Those plans are beginning to work and we need to give them time to work."

Paul added, "Over the past decade, York City has seen a substantial increase in spending per student yet as we know the results just aren't there."

The school board meeting is set for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at William Penn Senior High in York.

Teachers and members of the community have planned a rally and march at 5:30 p.m. leading up to that meeting.

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