The Alachua County School Board unanimously approved an application for a nearly year-round charter school on Tuesday, finding that the application met state standards. Boulware Springs Charter School is set to open in July.
According to county documents, the superintendent recommended that the school board approve the charter application, “in concept, and authorize staff to develop a proposed charter contract for approval at a later date.”
Dr. Diana Lagotic, director of elementary curriculum, said the board is expected to vote in November whether to approve the contract, which is based on a state template.
The school, founded by former Alachua County teacher Kay Abbitt and her daughter Megan Lane, will operate under a 50/10 schedule. Students will attend school for four 50-day terms with a 10-day vacation after each term and one four-week summer vacation, according to the charter school application.
Located at 1303 NE 23 Ave., which is the former location of the McGurn Family YMCA, the new charter school's hours will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays.
Prior to Tuesday’s vote, the school board held a workshop, at which the members discussed the application.
"The charter school gives parents another option to look at," Lagotic said. "Each charter school is unique in its own way."