School district cannot afford charter school

I was taken aback by the June 15 column by Jennifer Hemmingsen concerning the prospects for a charter school in downtown Cedar Rapids. The writer chided the school board for not responding to this request, which requires the approval of the board.

What was not mentioned was the cost to the school district for this new school. The school district would have to financially support the charter school by paying for the facility in which it is housed and providing the funds to operate it. It is clear the board is in no position to take on such a burden at this time.

It is in the midst of building a new administration building, studying enrollment and facilities in light of declining enrollment, finalizing flood recovery projects and meeting No Child Left Behind mandates. In addition, state support may be reduced again.

As to the need for this school, there is a Montessori school in downtown Cedar Rapids that is serving preschool through kindergarten children and is not funded by the school district. A need for an additional downtown school requires more study.

Curran Rosser

Cedar Rapids