The organization that’s seeking to establish Tennessee’s first rural public charter school has received key community support ahead of its upcoming appeal.¶
The Trimble Board of Mayor and Aldermen passed a resolution on Friday to express support for Trimble Academy and encourage state leaders to give “due consideration” to Trimble Forward Alliance’s appeal this fall. The proposed West Tennessee public charter school would serve elementary and middle school students on the vacant Trimble Elementary property.¶
“The Town of Trimble believes that the continued use of the property for educational purposes would promote community development and contribute to the long-term vitality of the Town and surrounding area,” the resolution stated. “The Town of Trimble desires to express its support for the Trimble Forward Alliance organization in its efforts to pursue the approvals, partnerships, and resources necessary to establish a successful charter school.”¶
Why the Resolution is Important
The Dyer County Board of Education voted last month not to authorize Trimble Academy's application. School leaders felt they weren’t given a fair hearing and appealed to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission, which could decide to authorize the school in the fall.¶
The commission has scheduled a public hearing next week for supporters to make the case for the school.¶
Traditionally, commissioners have placed a high value on community support in charter appeals.¶
What is Trimble Academy
Charter schools are free public schools operated by a nonprofit under a “charter” with a school district or the state. These schools are allowed the freedom and flexibility to be more innovative in their approach to educating children but are still held accountable for advancing student achievement.¶
Supporters of Trimble Academy believe the concept is a good fit for small rural communities like Trimble, and they’ve designed the school to blend outdoor education and classical education in a smaller class setting.¶
“The classes will be outside, and I’m not talking about one day a week or one time during the day. It is an outdoor classroom setting,” Trimble Forward Alliance President Margaret Prater said in an interview last April. “Obviously, there are some times that you have to be indoors, but the whole curriculum is built into that. Examples like, instead of a kindergartener sitting at their desk and counting beads, they could be walking out in the yard, picking up acorns, and counting them.”¶
Trimble has fewer than 600 residents, and the community has been without a school since Dyer County leaders closed Trimble Elementary last year. That decision forced families to send their children to larger schools out of town, and sometimes out of the county.¶
Supporters who can’t make next week’s public hearing can submit written comments on Trimble Academy online.¶
