New charter school approved

A new charter school for Charleston County students with multiple, profound disabilities received the school board's consent Monday night to open next year.

The state Charter School Advisory Committee already signed off on the application from Pattison's Academy for Comprehensive Education, and approval from the county school board was the final hurdle in its journey to become a charter.

The school board would have to hold a hearing within 30 days of the state committee's approval if it planned to deny the school's application. If the board doesn't schedule a hearing by that deadline, which for Pattison's Academy falls during the July Fourth holiday weekend, the charter school's application would be approved. Board Vice Chairman Gregg Meyers told dozens of supporters from Pattison's Academy that the board didn't plan to request a hearing.

"We are content as a board to let the state's approval stand," he said.

Pattison's Academy supporters cheered after Meyers told them of the decision, and many used the public comment portion of the meeting to thank the board. The school plans to open in fall 2010 and serve 30 students between kindergarten and the eighth grade who have profound disabilities. The school would grow by 12 students annually until it enrolls about 70 students. The concept for the school grew out of a summer camp program started three years ago that enabled children to continue receiving therapy when public schools were closed.

"I want to say thank you for giving us this opportunity," Julia Schrecker, a parent of a 10-year-old with special needs, told the board through tears. "We want to do more, and we want to do more for these kids. We appreciate you letting us do that."

Reach Diette Courrégé at 937-5546 or dcourrege@postandcourier.com.