Pocono Mountain Charter School celebrates ruling by appeals board - Pocono Record
September 29, 2011
With the kind of news it received Tuesday, the Pocono Mountain Charter School couldn't stay quiet.
The Tobyhanna charter school held a building-wide celebration Wednesday about the news the state will allow it to stay open. The event was a rousing, clapping, screaming event that busted through the politics and legalities of the long-standing fight that broke it down into one simple message — the school staying open.
The celebration actually started Tuesday afternoon when school officials announced the decision over the school loudspeaker. Lisa Bansa, the school's board of trustees chairwoman, said cheering broke out in the classes.
"They know that it means their school isn't closed," she said of breaking down the decision into terms a first-grader would understand. "They know it means they can stay here and they don't have to go back into the (Pocono Mountain School) district."
The district's school board voted to revoke the school's charter in October, but the state overturned that decision Tuesday.
The charter is what gives the school state-recognized approval to operate.
One of the participants in Wednesday's event was Pastor Dennis Bloom, the founder of the school and its former CEO.
Bloom, who pumped his fist in the air when he came into the rally, criticized the Pocono Mountain School District for "deeply personal attacks" against him and his wife, Gricel, the school's former assistant CEO.
"The district's attacks were ultimately attacks against you, the children," he told the crowd. "I ask them to join the Pocono Mountain Charter School, and all the students and taxpayers who want to see an end to this feud."
The district still has options to continue the legal battle that has gone on for more than two years. It could appeal Tuesday's decision to the state court, or it could continue to pursue the non-renewal of the school's charter.
The district decided in March it would not renew the school's charter, though the school appealed the decision.
With the decision in favor of the charter school Tuesday, Bansa said the school can feel more comfortable to expand some of its programs.
"It's a big turning point for the kids to do great things," she said. "It really feels like a weight lifted off everyone's shoulders."
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