In the absence of Senate cooperation, the senators have allowed the process to come to a halt, said Mr. Petty, who has testified twice before the Legislature. Colleyville resident Richard Myers shared Mr. Petty's frustration. Mr. Myers attended early organizational meetings for a Westlake charter school. A charter school is a public school that functions with more autonomy and different methods than a traditional public school. Mr. Myers said he was attracted by the financial leadership Westlake could give the school, as well as the curriculum the school would offer.
Charter schools are different and can create different kinds of environments.
We thought that one would meet out needs quite nicely. Patsy O'Neill, executive director of the Charter School Resource Center of Texas, said the Legislature should allow charter-granting authority to stay with the state board. And because I anticipate they would have a very high-quality application, they would probably make the interview stage and perhaps be approved. In the meantime, Mr. Petty will continue to lobby for more high quality charter schools.