Community responds positively to idea of charter school

Posted 9/19/24

Many people in the region are enthusiastic about a potential charter school coming to Cody.

The common sentiment voiced during an active public comment session held in the Cody Auditorium was …

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Community responds positively to idea of charter school

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Many people in the region are enthusiastic about a potential charter school coming to Cody.

The common sentiment voiced during an active public comment session held in the Cody Auditorium was not that local school districts do a poor job, but having options for families and students is important — not one size fits all. 

Those present for public comment agreed Vitalis Charter Academy would be another good option.

The charter would offer support to parents who want to personalize their child’s education while having access to professional educators, a curriculum library and other resources with state funding.

Vitalis is undergoing an approval process with the Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board, which was established in 2023. Charters can offer education that differs from traditional public schools but must still follow rules and regulations outlined by the state, as the schools are still public schools that receive state funds. 

Stefanie Bell, a board member for Park County School District 6 in Cody, was present and said the full board (and superintendent) attended the authorizing board’s interview of Vitalis earlier in the day and will be submitting a written comment.

“Vitalis Charter Academy … is designed to provide an innovative, effective and personalized learning program that honors parental choice in a nonclassroom based model,” the purpose section of the academy’s proposal reads.

Through curated curriculum and tailored instruction, the school aims to meet students' needs including, social, emotional and physical, as well as create lifelong learners.

“The Charter School, in collaboration with parents, mentors, students, and the school staff, will cultivate lifelong learners by recognizing students’ and parents’ needs for educational options,” the mission statement reads. “The Charter School will balance flexibility with accountability and commitment to academic excellence for families seeking a nonclassroom based personalized education.”

Park County parents and stakeholders identified with this. Those who voiced their support included a Marine veteran who took a nontraditional education path and advocated for options and accesibility, parents with multiple children who have chosen their child’s schooling based on the child and those who are looking at making the leap from traditional schools to alternative options. 

Mark McKenna, a Powell resident and former Cody teacher who has since become a professional artist, was one of those intrigued by the new school.

McKenna has six children, five of whom have been in the school system, he said. They have recently decided to homeschool their own children and pursue the freedom that comes with that.

“I really think that having the charter school gives families much greater say in how they can educate and oversee the education of their children,” he said.

McKenna singled out some of Vitalis’ ideas like having professional teacher “mentors” teaching classes as a positive, and noted he may provide an art class. Not offering the charter would be a disservice to the children, he added, and advocated for providing support to parents trying to educate their children.

The deadline to submit written comments regarding the charter school is Sept. 25.

A more in-depth article on Vitalis and what the school may look like if approved can be seen in Tuesday’s issue of the Tribune.

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