On behalf of the nearly 2,000 residents of the Town of Conway, we the undersigned Town of Conway Selectboard hereby voice our opposition to the proposed expansion of the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School. The current authorized enrollment of 493 students is bad enough, and the proposed expansion to a maximum enrollment of 952 students will have devastating effects.
The expansion would have a negative impact on both our school and town budgets. PVCICS already does a disservice to our community by virtue of its chronic under-enrollment of special needs, low income, English Language learners, Hispanic and high needs students, and an expansion would only magnify the negative effects of this charter school.
The Town of Conway has three students currently enrolled at PVCICS, which costs our town $53,700, or $17,900 per student. We cannot afford the deleterious effects of the proposed expansion. Please join us in ensuring that every school using taxpayer funds is governed by the same standards found in our public schools which so effectively serve the needs of all students, and hold the PVCICS accountable.
John P. O’Rourke, Chair
Robert A. Armstrong, Jr.
Philip Kantor
Conway