Oakland Chairman Confronts BOE on Application

“I don’t think we deserve a short period of time with a special meeting.”

In a tense exchange with Superintendent Bryan Dorsey Tuesday night, January 10th, Oakland Academy Charter School (OACS) Board Chairman Isaac Lassiter asked the Board of Education to open the discussion about the Oakland Academy Charter School with the public. Superintendent Dorsey recently told FYN, “The public is engaged in the conversation about the charter. Many staff members and citizens have already approached me in various ways with their questions, suggestions, and opinions concerning the application.” Lassiter, however, had a different idea in mind about the conversation or discussion with the public.

Addressing the Gilmer Board Lassiter said, “We don’t want 48 hours and I don’t think we deserve a short period of time with a special meeting.” According to a recent email, due to the size of the application (160 pages) and the time needed to review it thoroughly, Dorsey suggested the Board could call a special meeting either before or after the February 9th Workshop. The deadline for the Gilmer Board to make a decision on the application is February 13th, a day before the Board’s regular meeting. As such, the Board must make a decision on whether to allow Oakland to open as a charter school or to prohibit it to open as a charter school by the 13th, which means it must be done in a special meeting. But, for Lassiter, this is not enough time for the public to discuss the matter with the Board.

“We ask that you give us at least two weeks advanced notice,” Lassiter said, emphasizing that five minute time limits (the allotted time for public comments at BOE meetings) are insulting to the Oakland Board of Trustees and the public.

Watch the video of the Lassiter’s address to the Gilmer Board of Education.