Livermore charter school group now involved in controversial Dublin school proposal
DUBLIN — The controversial charter high school proposed to open in Dublin is now under the umbrella corporation that runs the Livermore Valley Charter School, adding another reason for opponents to fight the plan.
The Dublin school district, which is considering the proposal, held a three-hour public hearing Thursday night during which almost every speaker urged trustees to deny the charter petition.
The Tassajara Preparatory High School, backed by a group of residents who formed the Dublin Learning Corporation, has been proposed to open in fall 2012. It would start with ninth grade, adding a grade each year until reaching 12th grade. It would have a maximum of 864 students. Supporters have said there should be an alternative to Dublin High, the city’s only comprehensive high school.
The group was being assisted in their plans by the Livermore Charter Learning Corporation, which runs the kindergarten-through-eighth grade Livermore Valley Charter School and the Livermore Valley Charter Preparatory High School that is scheduled to open for the 2010-11 school year.
Bill Batchelor, chief operating officer of the Livermore corporation, said it made sense to have them under one group, which would also lead to collaboration opportunities. Last month the Livermore corporation changed its name to the Tri-Valley Learning Corporation, shortly before the Dublin charter proposal was submitted to the Dublin school district.
