Gillingham students, parents urge Pottsville Area board to renew school's charter

May 24—POTTSVILLE — In an emotional appeal, a sixth grade girl pleaded with the Pottsville Area school directors at their Wednesday evening school board meeting not to close Gillingham Charter School.

"Gillingham has changed my life for the better," Sadie Bickford said. "I love Gillingham."

Sadie was one of about 40 students and parents who showed up at the meeting in D.H.H. Lengel Middle School in defense of Gillingham, which is facing a possible revocation of its charter by the school board.

Michelle Santonastaso said her three daughters are getting a good education at Gillingham.

"I want the ability to decide how my children are educated," said Santonastaso, a Pottsville human resources manager. "I believe it's a parent's right."

The outpouring of support came amid an increasing tension between the Pottsville Area school district and Gillingham in recent months.

Gillingham, as is required every five years, is seeking renewal of its charter by the school district.

At last month's meeting, Pottsville Area board President Michael Cardamone signaled the board might take action on the charter renewal at Wednesday night's meeting.

"The board may consider a vote to provide notice to Gillingham of the district's intent to proceed with a non-renewal/revocation proceeding due to concerns over staffing and students," Cardamone said in a statement read into the meeting record of the April meeting.

No action was proposed on Wednesday night's meeting. Instead, Cardamone read an updated statement on alleged deficiencies at the charter school.

In anticipation of Wednesday night's meeting,

Gillingham posted a statement on its website urging supporters to speak out at the school board meeting.

Noting that efforts to decertify the charter school failed in 2011 and 2017, Gillingham portrayed the current effort as a waste of taxpayer dollars.

In an attempt to close Gillingham, the statement said, the school district lost both times.

Gillingham is a free public charter school with student enrollment from all areas of Schuylkill County, including about 80 students from Pottsville, the statement says. If Gillingham closes, the students will be forced to attend cyber charter schools or return to the school district that didn't work for their style of learning, it says.

Jessica Peters said her three children are doing well at Gillingham.

"My oldest, who's in seventh grade, has been at Gillingham since kindergarten," said Peters, who lives in Wayne Twp. "I can't say enough about the school, and how well he is doing."

Deidra Herbert, who has taught at Gillingham for 10 years, said she also taught in the public school system.

"Not one size fits all," she said in defense of Gillingham's less-structured approach to learning.

Cardamone repeated charges made at last month's meeting.

"GCS submitted partially or completely inaccurate information regarding 20 staff members to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the 2021-2022 school year," Cardamone said, adding the information was verified through the Teacher Information Management System.

Gillingham did not meet the state-mandated threshold of having 75% of its teachers properly certified for their assignments, the statement alleged. Fourteen staff members left or did not return in 2022-23, it alleged.

"The district remains concerned about the number of students withdrawing from GCS," the statement said. "The student retention rate, calculated as the percent of students enrolled for a full year who return for the following school year, was an average of 48% during the four years in review."

Staffing concerns, Gillingham's financial situation, student achievement, attendance and safety of facilities are among the factors considered in determining whether to provide notice of revocation, the district statement said.

The building Gillingham uses for gym classes, the former St. Joseph's Parish Hall at 315 Howard Ave., was declared unsafe and closed after an inspection by Fire Chief James E. Misstishin Sr. in January. It has since been condemned.

Scott Herbert, president of Gillingham's board, made an appeal for the Pottsville Area board to postpone action on the charter renewal.

"I ask you to reopen your mind," said Herbert. "Our board should sit down with your board and figure out how both schools can work together."

Contact the writer: rdevlin@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007