MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - The vote is in, and it's a "no," for the Neville High School Charter effort.
Teachers from the school voted this morning on whether the school should be a type two charter, totally separating it from the Monroe City School System.
Students were off Friday, but it was an in-service work day for Neville teachers.
Charter advocate, Ronnie Shelby, says"they would not allow my presence in the meeting therefore I was unable to hear what was being said to the faculty."
Shelby, says after interim superintendent Dorenda Flowers spoke to teachers, the original vote of 68% "yes" flipped to 57% "no".
Shelby says, "things that they were told, were accurate statements according to the charter law but they did not tell the rest of the story."
He says faculty was told certain benefits would not be given to them and sick leave days accumulated over the years would be lost.
Shelby says, "our income flow would be sufficient as was represented in our budget figures that we submitted to the school board, which included our matching funds of all of those benefits be it retirement, insurance, and sick leave."
Monroe Federation of Teachers President, Sandie Lollie, handed out a flier to the Neville teachers saying,"can you trust these people with your livelihood."
Lollie says, "teachers just want to do what is good for the kids so a lot of them are torn what they are being told between the charter applicants and what's really happening here in the district."
Shelby says Neville Charter can appeal Friday's vote to the state.
The Monroe City School Board is responding to the vote.
They released this statement saying in part...
"...job stability and security that is provided by the Monroe City School System is paramount while keeping the education of children at the forefront."
The Neville Charter Board says they will meet next Thursday, that's when they'll decide on their next step.
