We built an art room, but that was pursuant to initially setting up an environment in a way we had seen it set up in other schools, which needed to be done in order to open. School Meeting could change the room designation the day we opened. If I follow you right, my response is that the importance of self-initiated learning is absolute, as is the importance of democratic governance. Well, personal curricula and personal interactions are one and the same in the school, and biases and agenda should never, ever preempt self-initiated learning in any situation where the rights of others are not being violated. However, school operations are the responsibility of staff.
Many students voluntarily take a role in that, but the staff is where the buck stops.
Thank you Todd - very thoughtful questions, and good job busting me on section 501. Let me know if you need me to fax you any of our docs.