A peek into Monterey charters

Two local charters get good marks, one will get a chance to talk about it Saturday, and another wants to meet you

Representatives with the Bay View Academy charter gave an update on what the school has accomplished in its first year of operation. So far, so good, it appears. After an initial bump that pushed them to change principals early in the school year, veteran administrator John Favero took over and everything seems to be running smoothly now. MCOE trustees sounded pleased during their report Wednesday morning. Well, except for the fact that the charter is serving fewer English language learners than even Bay View Elementary had -- which were already fewer than the district as a whole, and trustees Francisco Estrada and David Serena had concerns about that.

There were also good news for Monterey Bay Charter in Pacific Grove, whose yearly audit was completed and raised no red flags. The school's well managed, it has a very healthy reserve -- much healthier than some school districts, Assistant Superintendent of Business Garry Bousum said.

Monterey Bay's Director Cassandra Gallup-Bridge said the reserve is accomplished by being thrifty. We meet our budget but we don't give our staff raises, she said. Ouch. Who would do something like that?

And speaking of Monterey Bay, they're having open houses in two sites. The kindergarten open house will take place from 10 to noon Saturday at the Seaside Children’s Center, 1450 Elm Street in Seaside. The school’s main campus will hold an open house for grades 1-8 from 10 to noon Saturday at 1004 David Avenue, Pacific Grove.

The school's taking applications for openings in the next school year. Openings will be filled beginning in April through random drawing. Enrollment forms are available here, and at the school office at 1004 David Avenue, Pacific Grove.

CORAL Academy, a group of parents organizing to form a charter school, will have a picnic to inform the public about their charter. They don't have charter status yet or a site, but they sure have energy and hopes to begin classes in the fall. The group will gather from 11 am to 2 pm. Saturday, February 11 at the Lakeside Area in Laguna Grande Park, on the corner of Canyon Del Rey Boulevard and Harcourt Avenue. Visit the group's website or call them at 831-272-2818 for more information.