Flabob Airport (KRIR), Riverside/Rubidoux, California: Aviation charter school pitched for airport

A request that Jurupa schools approve a charter school at Flabob Airport appears headed for defeat when it comes before the school board Tuesday, Jan. 22.

In her report on the charter petition for the proposed Tom Wathen Center-Big Picture Aviation Academy, attorney Dina Harris raises questions about the project’s budget and cash flow, and educational program.

“The Charter Petition presents an unsound educational program for the pupils to be enrolled in the Charter School,” Harris states.

Bill Sawin, president and chief executive officer of the Tom Wathen Center, which owns Flabob Airport, said he wasn’t happy with Harris’ review and that she overlooked many of the positives about the proposal

“I think she’s wrong,” Sawin said. “They’re looking at nuts and bolts. All those things are fixable.”

“This kind of school opens the doors for so many things,” he said.

Charter schools operate with public money but are free of many of the regulations that govern regular public schools. However, there remain many regulations that they must follow.

Sawin said the Wathen Center is partnering with Big Picture Schools California to establish a comprehensive high school with an emphasis on aviation studies.

The school would open in fall for the 2013-14 school year. It would start with 9th and 10th grades, and 11th and 12th grades would be added over the next two years respectively.

The Jurupa Unified School District board held a public hearing on the proposal in November, when parents and students enrolled at the existing Tom Wathen Academy, also a charter school, expressed support for the charter school petition.

Sawin said the existing aviation academy will vacate its modular classrooms at Flabob Airport to make way for the new charter school.

The Tom Wathen Center hopes to break ground on a school building in spring 2014 that will include classrooms, offices and a meeting room.

If the Jurupa school board follows its attorney’s recommendation and votes down the charter petition, Sawin said it would be submitted to the Riverside County Office of Education.

“We’ll open our doors for t he fall semester,” Sawin said. “I wish we could have had a working relationship with Jurupa because it would benefit everyone.”

CHARTER SCHOOL PITCH

WHAT: The Jurupa school board will consider a charter petition for The Tom Wathen Center – Big Picture Aviation Academy at Flabob Airport.

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 6 p.m.

WHERE: Benita B. Roberts Education Center, 4850 Pedley Road, Jurupa Valley.

INFORMATION: 951-360-4100.

Source:  http://www.pe.com