Richmond charter school still working on details

Hurdles remain as the opening of Richmond's first public charter school nears.

Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts, set to open in July, still needs to reach compliance with the American with Disabilities Act and solve transportation problems, Richmond School Board members pointed out last night.

"It seems to me, this is late in the process to be talking about how to transport the students," said Kimberly B. Gray, vice chairwoman of the School Board. "It is critical to make sure all of our programs . . . are accessible to all children."

Despite those concerns raised by the School Board, charter-school officials were unflinching in their optimism that the school will be a success.

"Failure is not an option," said Deborah Butterworth, president of the charter school's board.

Butterworth said it is difficult to develop a transportation plan because charter-school officials don't know exactly where the student body is coming from. They aim to enroll 110 to 130 students in the K-5 school being developed in a former city elementary school on Semmes Avenue in South Richmond.

Those students will come from all over the city, she said. Student applications will be accepted from Dec. 3 through Feb. 12.

Last night, Burt Pinnock of BAM Architects unveiled a plan to bring the school into ADA compliance by the time it opens. Those structural changes include improvements to parking and entryways, the addition of a chair lift and upgrading bathrooms.

Those changes are projected to cost about $220,000, he said.

More work is planned for 2010-2013, which will address additional ADA compliance for drinking fountains, the playground and additional parking.

The charter school has run into fundraising issues as well, raising just $34,000; a goal of $175,000 was set for September.

"Fundraising is not as successful as I'd hope," Butterworth said.

But it recently received a $471,800 grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will be paid out over three years. Of that amount, $114,000 was available last month.

It also received a $100,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and is applying for federal stimulus money through the U.S. Department of Education.

Contact Jeremy Slayton at (804) 649-6861 or .