The Colonial School Board of Education approved a proposal to allow the leadership of Colonial to work with Delaware Academy Of Public Safety and Security (DAPSS) charter school on a plan to address issues that have led to formal review for possible closure by the Department of Education (DOE).
DAPSS is a charter high school located in New Castle serving just over 200 students in grades 9-12. Their focus is preparing students for careers as first responders in law enforcement, firefighting and emergency technician roles.
The academy is located at a former Catholic school on DuPont Highway.
“Not every failing school deserves saving but DAPSS serves a need in our community and could be a great asset, but right now, it’s not getting the job done for kids. We think we can help them change that.” Colonial Superintendent Dusty Blakey, stated. “This is really about making sure that all kids in Colonial are getting a great education, even if they choose other options.”
Colonial’s plan will be presented to the DOE Charter School Accountability Committee, which is conducting the formal review process for DAPSS and will ultimately decide if the school is allowed to remain open past this school year. If the milestones are not met and improvement isn’t seen over the next school year, DAPSS would surrender its charter and close after the 2018-2019 school year.
Colonial is offering its services to provide leadership, curriculum development, professional learning opportunities for DAPSS teachers and other services, Colonial will be paid as a consultant.
“We are not using Colonial dollars to infuse the DAPSS budget in any way. They must become financially stable on their own by increasing their enrollment numbers. We are providing them the framework and guidance to enhance the academic program to make the school more attractive to students who are interested in their mission around first responders” Blakey said.
If the turnaround plan is approved by DOE and is successful, Colonial would become the second school district in the State to authorize a charter school, after Red Clay.
The designation would give the Colonial School Board the role of formal oversight of the school. The President of the DAPSS Board, Margie López Waite praised the partnership “DAPSS has a great mission and great kids but we need help to get the school back to where it should be for kids. Colonial can help us do that.”
Charter schools receive payments that are the equivalent of the amount spent on public school students. However, organizers have to come up with funds for starting the school.
