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BEAR CREEK TWP. — The first week of classes at the new Bear Creek Community Charter School went “extremely well,” the school’s administration reported Thursday.
At a work session for the school’s board of trustees, CEO Jim Smith related how everything from arrival and dismissal to lunch to class time is running smoothly. Smith noted the new school’s parking lot design, which has buses, parent cars and van transportation arriving in different areas, has made the process of getting students in and out of school much more organized and efficient while also improving safety.
Smith said the cafeteria layout has made serving meals easier and the new round tables have made lunch more of a social experience for students. He said even time in class is quieter and calmer because there is so much more room for students and staff to work.
“It’s so tranquil and relaxing. It’s just better than we even thought,” Smith said. He noted that, despite the cold weather, students are eagerly using the outdoor educational areas and everyone is looking forward to warmer weather when more activities can be part of the curriculum for the school with a nature and ecology focus.
Smith said there are odds and ends to be tended to as the first week comes to an end, including technological systems still being programmed, paint touchups and a few change orders but, with the project all but complete, it remains $600,000 under budget.
The board also discussed obtaining a potential line of credit for the school as a hedge against future budget issues at the state level. Pennsylvania has been without a state budget since July and schools did not receive state funding until earlier this week. Smith said the line of credit would protect the school in the event of future budget impasses.
In another state funding related issue, the board briefly discussed the possibility of losing about $50,000 in grant funding from the Ready to Learn program. Pennsylvania’s Governor Tom Wolf has indicated that, although charter schools have received grants through this program in the past, they will not be eligible for it in the future. The school received $47,000 in the last grant cycle, Smith said.