3 groups propose charter schools

Three groups on Tuesday filed applications seeking approval to open charter schools next fall in Pinellas County. Two groups have applied before.

The Bay Village Center for Education Inc. won School Board approval two years ago but couldn't open on time in fall 2001. The school then planned to open this fall but didn't enroll 100 students by July 15, as an agreement with the school district required.

Bay Village, supported by teachers, a former social worker and former St. Petersburg City Council member Larry Williams, would be a middle school. If approved a second time, the school would open for 100 sixth-graders in fall 2003 and gradually grow to 750 students in grades 6 through 8. The school would be located at Maximo Presbyterian Church, 3200 58th Ave. S in St. Petersburg.

"They're essentially starting over," said Steve Swartzel, district director of governmental services.

The Richard Milburn Academy, which withdrew an application in 2000, also is seeking approval. The academy, based in Salem, Mass., wants to open a program to initially serve 150 at-risk high school students. The location of the school was not specified in the application.

The third application came from a group that wants to open the Dulaney Educational Institute to offer hands-on training, initially to 150 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. Eventually, the school would offer grades K-12.

The group also submitted a charter school application in Tampa.

Carnell Butler, a junior studying education at the University of South Florida who is a spokesman for the school, said the school's board of directors met through Greater Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Tampa. The group, he said, includes a longtime Hillsborough schools employee and a former educator.

Butler said the school would not operate under the umbrella of the church. The school would be situated at 3144 Third Ave. N in St. Petersburg.

Charter schools are operated by private groups but they receive public money and are considered public schools. They receive the same amount per student as other public schools, minus 5 percent for administrative costs.

Pinellas has four charter schools.

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