By Christy Scott
The Alpine Sun
     PINE VALLEY — The future of the Applied Science and Technology Academy (ASTA) in Pine Valley was improved last Wednesday, May 11 when the Mountain Empire Unified School District (MEUSD) board voted to fix problems at the charter school. Members heard from a long list of ASTA supporters during the meeting before putting it to a vote.
     “I really don’t think that ASTA deserves to be shut down,” said Rebecca Mitchell, a student of ASTA. “We’re part of Mtn. Empire district, if we’re part of the district I don’t know why we can’t work together.”
     Several allegations of non-compliance were raised against ASTA by Superintendent Patrick Judd in a review. Tensions in the district about ASTA have been rampant for several months, culminating in the Wednesday meeting, where the possible revocation of ASTA’s charter was on the agenda.
     “Tonight you are the choice makers,” said Laurie Powers, a teacher at ASTA. “Look out into the audience and see the faces of ASTA. These people are aware of the allegations of non-compliance towards their school, and yet they are here asking you to let their school stay.”
     “Stand here with these parents and make a decision that works for the children of this district,” Powers said. 
     Many parents voiced support for ASTA as a school of choice in a district which has only one high school.
     “We all learn in different ways,” said Lani Thiel, a parent of an ASTA student. “ASTA is an alternative that’s working for many kids. Please remember that by closing ASTA down, that there are some children that you’re going to be not giving the opportunity to have a learning environment that they thrive in.”
     “Something right is happening at ASTA,” said Bill Herde, an ASTA parent whose son has only been at the charter school for about a month. Pardy said that since transferring to ASTA he has seen a noticeable change in his son, for the better, and doesn’t mind the more than 150 mile daily trip to get him to and from school.
     ASTA representatives did not deny the allegations made towards them and admitted that they were in need of assistance from the district. At meetings since the beginning of the year officials from the charter have been trying to get issues before the school board, but were not put on the board agenda.
     “At the last meeting, I asked for your help,” said an ASTA official. “I didn’t receive one bit of help on anything, from any of you.”
     The allegations raised by the superintendent were made in a report in mid-April, leaving only a month for ASTA to deal with the problems before facing the possible revocation at Wednesday’s meeting. The short amount of time left in the school year is also a hindrance, as any real change would not be seen before the end of the semester. 
     “What’s the rush to close ASTA down?” asked Tom McNicol. “I don’t think you can take any action on this at all until the school has had a chance to address any problems.”
     “Most of the issues regarding ASTA and their non-compliance seem to be more of formality and bureaucracy,” Herde said. “Everything thing that I’ve seen here can be fixed. If it’s not happening it is because somebody is unwilling to work together and make it happen.
     “The charter school, standing on its own, really has little authority,” said Lisa Corr, the attorney representing ASTA. According to ASTA’s charter document the school is dependent on the district for financial and operational direction.
     “It’s obvious that management wasn’t working together,” said board member Jeff Morrison when the board discussed the item. He favored keeping the charter. “The issues here (superintendent’s allegations) haven’t been discussed as a group by the board.”
     “How can we get past the blame game,” said member Candy Bonner. “Everyone needs to sit down and figure out what needs to be done.”
     “We’re sitting here as a jury, yet we don’t have enough information on either side to make intelligent decisions,” Bonner said.
      Corr suggested that the board form a sub-committee to handle the issues at ASTA. After discussion, however, board members voted unanimously to remove the item from the agenda and instruct tthe superintendent to repair non-compliance issues at ASTA.
“As you can see here, there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed,” Judd said.
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