According to public school superintendent Richard Magnuson, the decision is a no-brainer. Most of the school board apparently agrees. But even though a public hearing was held on the issue last Spring, some segments of the community aren't sold on the idea, or the timing. Some think the wheels are turning too fast in an effort to cash in on monetary incentives from the state. If the board votes yes, Pleasant River will become a public school as soon as January 2000.
People are in the dark.
Don't rush into this because of state deadlines. Zenker said school board members would flunk if they had to take a test on the complicated charter school law. Some say the public school budget numbers are not in place to deal with Pleasant River. Some say the ideals of Pleasant River will be compromised if they agree to put themselves back under the thumb of a school system they rebelled against in the first place. Others are afraid Pleasant River, while being funded with public school money, will continue to be able to operate outside the rules.