The following is a press release issued by the organizers of the Sanel Valley Academy initiative:
Dear Parents, Community Members, Donors, and Future Students,
On October 1st, our charter school petition was submitted to Ukiah Unified School District for consideration. We submitted our petition with 140+ interested students, 10+ interested teachers, over 30 letters of support from community members, and a total of $252,400 in match funds pledged by our community at large. We did this in just a few short weeks!
The next step in this process is here and we need your support. Ukiah Unified is required to host a public hearing where support from community members, teachers, and families can be expressed. This will take place on October 22nd at 5:30pm via teleconference. We are asking everyone to come together and verbalize their support for Sanel Valley Academy, demonstrating to Ukiah Unified that the community wants and needs this school. This will be the only opportunity for the community to voice their opinion and persuade the District to approve this plan.
We are encouraging students to write and read their own comments, community members and parents to talk about the need for local education, and anyone willing to speak about the strong desire for an innovative school in the Hopland community.
We ask that the comments submitted focus on the school initiative only and not other proposed uses of the school property. We ask that the comments submitted focus on a positive sentiment – the opportunity, the hope, and the excitement that a school could create in the Hopland community.
Press here to reserve your spot to comment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does it work?
We wish we could pack everyone inside the District meeting room, however, due to COVID we must meet via video conference. Each person willing to read their comment must fill out the form before 5:00pm on October 22nd to reserve your spot. You will be given 3 minutes to read your statement to District staff and Board members.
Why do you need my support?
Ukiah Unified will evaluate the strength of our written petition, in addition to the verbalized support from parents, community members, and teachers for our proposed charter school. It will be our only opportunity to speak publicly to Board members.
When is the public hearing?
Thursday, October 22nd, 2020 at 5:30pm. The meeting will be streamed via Ukiah Unified’s YouTube Live channel starting at 5:30pm. If you are submitting a public comment, we recommend dialing in by phone (you will be placed on hold until it is your turn), and also joining via computer to hear the meeting via YouTube Live.
