Charter school halts its expansion plans

The Cambridge Lakes Charter School will not be adding classrooms anytime soon.

The Pingree Grove school originally was slated to expand this year, but declining enrollment has put those plans on hold, District 300 officials said Monday.

The District 300 school board signed off on the decision Monday by amending the district's agreement with the charter school.

Under the new agreement, the charter school will construct new buildings when it needs the classroom space and has adequate funding.

"It basically formalizes what has already taken place," District 300 Superintendent Ken Arndt said. "They're not expanding the school because of low enrollment."

The charter school's enrollment dropped by about 100 students - or 20 percent - this year, according to enrollment reports.

At the same time, enrollment at the two elementary schools closest to Cambridge Lakes - Gary D. Wright and Gilberts - rose by almost 200 and 150 students, respectively.

Teachers at the charter school are trying to form a union, complaining of intimidation from the administration, while parents have criticized the school's communication.

A charter school spokesman said last month the school is working to improve communication.

Officials with the Illinois Education Association, the union that is trying to organize the school's teachers, have not returned calls for weeks, while labor officials have declined to comment on the status of the union effort.

The Northern Kane Educational Corp. runs the charter school largely without oversight from District 300, which funds the daily operation of the school for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Northern Kane officials, including executive director Larry Fuhrer and board member Sylvia Polletta, did not return calls placed late Monday afternoon.