Special MC Council meeting focuses on charter school lease

The Morgan City Council has called a special meeting for Thursday to consider a lease agreement that could bring a charter school to the old Shannon Elementary building.
The meeting has been called for 6 p.m. Thursday at the City Court building. The only item on the agenda would authorize the mayor to sign the lease agreement with Blended & Online School Solutions LLC of Florida.
That company would lease a portion of the Shannon building for five years followed by three successive five-year renewal options.
The company would pay the city $1,000 per student in rent for the first five years, growing to more than $1,300 by year 20. The agreement sets a minimum number of students, from 80 in the first year to 150 in year 20. The school would be for students in grades K-8.
The charter school would be required to meet state standards but would be privately operated.
Advocates say parents would have an additional choice when selecting educational options for their children. The competition would be good for all students, they say.
The money from a 3M lawsuit settlement is expected to cover the cost of improving a portion of the building for use by the charter school.
Opponents say the charter school would draw state funding away from St. Mary public schools with possible impacts on public school programs.