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Cambridge Lakes Charter School seeks renewal

The Cambridge Lakes Charter School is hoping to extend its two-year run as a school of choice for Community Unit District 300.

Larry Fuhrer, executive director of the school's operator, Northern Kane Educational Corp., laid out the case for renewal of its charter at a recent District 300 board meeting.

"We believe we're in full compliance with everything that was in the charter," Fuhrer said. "Our objective is to be number one out of the charter schools (in the state.)"

The school's charter, which grants it the ability to operate more or less independently of the school district, expires at the end of this year, according to the district documents. The school is seeking to renew its charter for another five years with no changes.

About 410 students from across the district attended the charter school this year. The school is open to any student who lives in District 300.

In its first year, the school was racked by labor unrest, parent complaints, the transfer of about 100 students and the departure of key board members.

In the latest shuffle, Fuhrer said Monday that Bill Doran, principal of Westfield Community School and former Northern Kane board member, has been replaced by Tim Loversky, principal of Lakewood School. Doran resigned from the board last year, citing time conflicts.

Fuhrer admitted at the meeting to shutting down an online forum created last year to discuss the charter school. Last year he denied that he or Northern Kane took any action against the forum.

"I shut them down for violation of the law and intellectual property rights," Fuhrer said, responding to a board member's question.

The school has seemed quieter this year. Board members on Monday acknowledged the rocky start and apparent progress.

"I've been glad to see the progress, the new programs," District 300 board member Dave Alessio said.

The school's labor issues, however, remain unresolved. Teachers have prevailed so far in their effort to form a union at the school, but Northern Kane's appeal of an Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board decision favoring teachers is set for a hearing on July 22.

The District 300 board likely will vote on renewing the charter later this month.

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