Rocklin School Board To Hold Public Hearing on Dec 19 to Discuss Granting A Charter to Western Sierra Collegiate Academy

Rocklin Academy was started by very good people, but they are not Republicans from what I know and tend to lean more liberal-Democrat.I don't think they've looked for support from the Republicans. So it makes sense that a real Republican like Tom Hudson might assume that that Lowell, Powell and the others are the 'good guys'. Sadly, Lowell and Powell aren't the good guys. These people hate school choice and care about power and money, not education. This county is so anti-school choice it's terrible. It's time for the Republican Party of Placer County to stand-up for school choice. Placer County schools need competition in order to improve. The high schools are disgrace (unless you are a sports fan!) Tom Hudson is a REAL Republican - wait and see.

Concerned Parent

I believe the people that started Rocklin Academy were probably split 50-50. Dr. Dave Patterson, the Executive Director of Rocklin Academy serves on the Placer County Republican Central Committee.

I and others briefed Tom Hudson on the anti-school choice Republicans Todd Lowell and Steve Paul prior to last years election. There was a Democrat who ran. She supported school choice.

You are correct, that Todd Lowell and Steve Paul only care about power and money. I served on the Rocklin School Board for 2 years with Steve Paul and he was the only board member that came to each meeting unprepared to talk about the issues. It could be that he did not understand the issues.

Democrats and Republicans should be able to send their kids to their school of choice. The Republican Party has made this one of their core issues. I am with you. Lets see if Mr. Hudson shows the leadership and supports school choice. It would be nice to see him at the public hearing.

Charter schools and school choice are supported by moms and dads not political parties. Anyone who wants the best for their children and the economic health of the country is for school choice. Just because a charter school exists doesn't mean every child must attend. That is only true of the communist run teachers' union schools. Control of our schools by the teachers' union is a greater threat to the world than man-made global warming.

You are correct, that school choice should be supported by moms and Dads. That is why there are hundreds of moms and dads that would like the option of sending their children to Rocklin Academy. Not every child should go to Rocklin Academy. No every family wants to send their children to Rocklin Academy. The Rocklin School Board has eliminated that choice.

Sup. Kevin Brown has already said the Rocklin School Baord will not support the high school charter school. Once again, they take another option away from Rocklin parents.

This became a political issue when Republican school board candidates asked the Placer County Republican Pary for its endorsement. They told the party they supported charter schools. From the school board's actions, this was a false statement.

Regarding the teachers union as a threat to education. I agree. But then ask all 5 members of the Rocklin School Board why they accepted thousands of dollars from the CTA? We now know that the Rocklin School Board is bought and paid for by the CTA.

Democrats can't support school choice because of their relationship with the unions. Although Placer County leans Republican, elected representatives don't seem willing to take a stand on school choice. Rocklin is lucky to have Dr. Patterson and the R.A. crew willing to start a high school. At least it's a group that's independent of the district, which is often what's needed. Meantime, be wary of districts that want to start charters as a way to take more students from other districts, but aren't willing to offer innovation or freedom from the unions. We hear the Loomis district is trying to start a charter, but only under the control of the unions and the political administrator. And the Newcastle charter is no more independent, which I believe has unionized teachers and a charter that is poorly written.

Concerned Parent

Some Democrats that put kids before the teacher's union do support charter schools. There is a rumor that Democrat Congressional Candidate Charlie Brown may provide a comment at the Dec 19 public hearing supporting the high school charter.

The 3 Republicans on the Rocklin School Board, Lowell, Paul, and Daley oppose charter schools. They lied to the Republican Party and then took $18,000 from the teacher's union. I am waiting for Mr. Hudson, the Chairman of the Placer County Republican Party, to show some leadership and support the charter school.

I agree with you that Dave Patterson and the folks at RA have dome an excellent job moving forward with the high school charter.