Windsor group hopes to open charter school for autistic children

With a vision to meet the educational needs of children, a group of parents is looking to the Windsor-Severance Re-4 School District for support.

The Northern Colorado Center for Children submitted a charter school application in the beginning of September to bring a school for children with moderate to severe autism or related disorders into the district.

The plan is to open the school in Fall 2008 and in the first year admit 40-45 children. Students ages 5-21 and who live in northern Colorado will be eligible. Organizers are looking for a donated facility and has submitted the same application with the Poudre School District in Fort Collins.

Linda Drees, chairwoman for the group, said this school would become a center of excellence and provide an educational opportunity for the students with autism and moderate disabilities, parents and other care providers in northern Colorado.

The application has been reviewed by the Re-4 leadership team, and a presentation was made to the district's core leadership team and members of a sub-committee of the district's accountability committee.

Jeanne Findley, the district's director of instruction, said a public meeting will be held Oct. 29 for anybody interested in asking questions or more information. The leadership team will make a recommendation to the board of education Nov. 19.

"(The application) is meeting the needs of a specific group of children. This group really wants to make this a state-of-the-art school for autistic children," Findley said. "I think some of the challenges are, naturally the financial piece of any charter school, and if the facilities are really going to meet the needs of the population."

The group's supporters are parents of children with autism or related disorders and people who have the expertise in public administration, business, law and education. They believe there is a high need for a school in the region with a structured, year-round curriculum for these children.

According to the Autism Society of Larimer County, autism is a developmental disability that affects a person's ability to communicate, understand language, play and interact with others.

The charter school organizers believe children with autism have unique needs, where some learn well in a typical classroom setting and others reach their potential with trained teachers in a specialized setting.

"Their educational and therapeutical needs are different," Drees said.

There are only three schools in the country -- in Utah, Florida and New York -- that serve the needs for autistic children.

Drees said Windsor was chosen because it is a central location for children from surrounding towns and cities and the Re-4 staff is professional.

The proposed charter school would not charge tuition to parents, and funding will be based on the needs and services in the student's Individualized Education Plan. The center would receive per pupil funding for each student and additional funding based on the Colorado Department Education approved rates.

Drees said the school also hopes to partner with the University of Northern Colorado, which could help with teachers in the classroom, student teachers and innovative research projects.

"To me it could be one of the best programs in the country," Drees said.

WHAT'S NEXT

Northern Colorado Center for Children Public Input meeting will be from 6-7 p.m. Oct. 29 at the District Administration Building, 1020 Main St., Windsor.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

Northern Colorado Center for Children Charter School Characteristics:

» Classes to be served: Kindergarten-12th grade (ages 5-21).

» School Year: 180 days, with Extended School Year and fee-based programs during breaks and before and after normal school hours.

» Admission: 40-45 students in the first year.

» Student-to-staff ratio: One instructor for every two to four students, depending on needs.

» Curriculum: Syracuse Community-Referenced Curriculum Guide for Students with Moderate and Severe Disabilities.

» Planned opening: Fall 2008

» Location: Poudre School District/Windsor-Severance Re-4 School District

» For more information: Call the Northern Colorado Center for Children, (970) 207-0347, northernccc@comcast.net.

Source: Northern Colorado Center for Children Charter Application