San Jose, CA (October 17) --Only after agreeing to the Education Board's requirement to accomomodate more underserved, special needs and English Language Learners that the Santa Clara County Board of Education approved the renewal of Bullis Charter School to operate for five more years, through 2017.
Board President Joseph Di Salvo said, "No doubt Bullis agreed to step up to the Board's concerns relative to expanding outreach and eventual services to uderserved, special need and English Language Learners students."
Bullis was criticized for not complying with state rule that charter schools should be serving academically struggling students and that it has been operating more like a private school, not as a public charter school.
It was pointed out by Education Board Trustee Anna Song that Bullis "acts more like a private school by leaning on parents to donate $5,000 a year plus, for fifth-and sixth-grade students, pay about $2,000 for annual field trips".
According to 2010-2011 statistics, none of Bullis' 465 students are poor. Only 1.5 percent are limited English speaking and 4.7 percent are special education students.
Bullis, as a public charter school, receives state and local tax funds, but operates independently of school boards and of most provisions of the State Education Code.
After more than two hours of deliberations, the Board came out with a 5-2 vote. Voting in favor of the renewal were Board President Joseph Di Salvo, Vice President Michael Chang and members Leon F. Beauchman, Julia Hover-Smoot, and Craig Mann. Those who opposed were members Grace Mah and Anna Song.
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