Freedom Academy plans meet resistance

PROVO -- Expansion of a charter school in northwest Provo has pitted the school and its legislative protection against the city and the neighborhood.

Freedom Academy, a K-8 charter school at 1190 W. 900 North, has state approval for a plan to add a high school to its site. Administrators say they are fulfilling parent's wishes to have their children continue at the academy. But residents and city officials are worried the school's growth will destroy the neighborhood that already has given up a lot for the academy.

Safety, parking, traffic and neighborhood preservation are the top concerns, say Brent Hall, the River Grove neighborhood chairman and Mayor John Curtis.

"We're fighting for our neighborhood," Hall said. "Neighborhoods are threatened in Provo. If we let this happen the neighborhood will be gone."

"I feel I need to protect these families that have a hard time articulating their concerns," Curtis said. "I've got to protect these neighbors. This has been pushed to the edge of acceptability. It's a horrendous situation."

Freedom Academy director Lynne Herring said, "Freedom is a member of this neighborhood. We have no desire to foul our own nest."

She added that misinformation and rumor about the school's plans have run rampant.

Ken Parkinson, chairman of the school's governing board, met with Curtis on April 5 to discuss the issues with expansion. At the time they informed the mayor of other possibilities. Since then, the board decided on the expansion provided they are able to negotiate an acceptable contract with their builder, finish the ninth-grade building in time to start school in the fall and create safety and traffic plans to address any issues.

In a letter drafted this week to Curtis, Parkinson said, "We understand that you plan to oppose that, but we would nevertheless like to attempt to explain our position and learn from you and your staff what can be done to mitigate your concerns."

That's about all Curtis can do, because state laws implemented in 2005 gives charter schools the ability to build anywhere they want with few restrictions in either a county or municipality.

See the article here:
Freedom Academy plans meet resistance