Rumblings | November 26, 2009
An arts-based charter school?

Former teacher looking to start arts-based charter school

Trevor Kupfer |

After teaching in the Eau Claire Area School District for 25 years, Jo Burke knows first-hand the benefits of education through the arts and the pratfalls of the testing-based model. Not satisfied with letting the system’s dice fall as they may, Jo is determined to start a local Charter school that serves grades six through 12 via the creative arts. “There has emerged a need to serve kids with different learning patterns,” she said, “and we see the creative arts as a way to do that.” The project is in the very preliminary stages – everything from the facility, staff, funding, and location are totally up in the air. For the past several weeks Jo has been talking to teachers, parents, community members, and artists to get their thoughts on a possible school. Her group (or “movement,” as she calls it) called Engage, is essentially a dozen local educators and parents rallied around this idea and looking for more support in the community. “We’re finding people all over the place who are jumping on board,” said Burke, who was also the union president for eight years. The group is currently going through the planning process for a grant through the Department of Public Instruction that is due in April and would make the first year of start-up for the project free. In order to do this, however, Jo will come before the school board on Dec. 7 to illustrate a need for such a school and show how it’s fiscally sustainable. But it’s possible that this district will show resistance, and she’ll look at other nearby districts. To help Joe’s efforts or show support for the project, either show up to the Dec. 7 meeting in the Board Room of the Administration Building (500 Main St.) or e-mail Jo: joellenburke@gmail.com

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