Something unique is happening in Davis County. Charter schools and district schools are working together to better the education of all students. Cooperation and collaboration are part of a unique relationship between Davis School District and charter schools in Davis County.
In 2009, Davis Education Network (DEN) was established, under the direction of then Superintendent Bryan Bowles. All charter schools and private schools within the Davis School District have been meeting with Davis School District for the past 12 years. In celebration of National Charter School Week, May 9-15, 2021, I think it is important to celebrate this highly effective, unusual relationship.
As charter schools reach their 23rd year in Utah, and as educational choice for parents and students is still a top priority, charter schools can better provide a quality choice when communicating with the traditional school districts.
From its start, the goal of DEN has been to make sure that all students in Davis County have a quality education, wherever they attend. Recognizing that many families will attend both a charter school and a district school, DEN was established to strengthen all student’s educational experience.
When DEN was first established, Bowles worked with Academica West, an educational school service provider for charters, located in Kaysville to organize the logistics of the meetings. Academica West continues to support the meetings with minutes and logistics. Charter schools’ volunteer to host the meetings at their school, allowing Davis district personnel as well as other charter school directors to visit schools and directors to visit the district offices.
Davis School District has a district level charter liaison, Sheri Sauvé, who arranges for district leaders to meet with the group on topics of common interest and works to ensure that communication is open in all areas of school business. Sauvé makes sure that information such as enrollment schedules, curriculum, teacher preparation and special events are communicated during DEN meetings.
The current Davis District superintendent, Reid Newey, is very supportive of DEN meetings, attending and sharing information. At the beginning of this current school year, a special DEN meeting was held so that Davis District leaders and charter school directors could share strategies on scheduling classes, safety protocols and social/emotional learning during the continued pandemic.
Charter schools and traditional district schools are both choices for the parents and students of Utah and, therefore, in many ways are competing. However, Davis School District and charters have come together through the DEN meetings to raise the bar for all education by committing to communication, collaboration, and coordination. I think that is truly something to celebrate!
Kim Dohrer
Kim Dohrer is president and chief education specialist for Academica West, Kaysville, which provides management and support services to charter schools.
