by Shawgi Tell / May 3rd, 2021
Over the years, as more problems with charter schools have been exposed, analyzed, and critiqued, more people have come to see the need for opposing them and for defending public education and the public interest. Criticism and rejection of these privately-operated schools has become more mainstream in recent years and it is safe to say that opposition to charter schools will keep growing so long as neoliberals and privatizers impose more charter schools on society.
Public school boards and many different education advocacy groups, along with more legislators, former charter school teachers, many public school teachers, countless teacher educators and teacher education students, teacher unions, and myriad rights and justice groups are just some of the forces that are increasingly speaking out and taking action against charter schools. Many others have also heard of charter schools, and even with little or no investigation, they tend to approach charte
Eirin Lombardo s rainbow hair peeked out from beneath a sun hat as she performed a dance from the roof of The School of Arts & Sciences on Thomasville Road. Masked students stood on the ground looking up at her and mirroring her dance moves.
Lombardo, principal of The School of Arts & Sciences on Thomasville (SAST), was celebrating the charter school surpassing its fundraising goal of $10,000 by dyeing her hair rainbow colors and working from the roof of the school for the day.
The school livestreamed the event for its virtual students. Some digital students and their families drove by the school and waved at Lombardo from their cars.