Published: November 04, 2009 09:10 pm      

Rock Creek enters the home stretch

Christian school just one step away from becoming charter school

Less than 24 hours after Rock Creek Christian Academy officials presented their full charter school proposal at Ball State University, Principal Sara Hauselman received an e-mail with the good news.

They were approved to move forward to the final round.

That round involves hosting one public hearing, which happens just days before BSU’s president makes the announcement on whether Rock Creek will be granted a charter.

Becoming a charter school will mean a lot to Rock Creek, Hauselman said, adding that the move would make the school tuition free.

“Kids don’t realize what their parents give up for them sometimes [to pay tuition],” Hauselman said. “I’m sure it’s going to alleviate some things for families who have been saving and sacrificing some things to be able to pay.”

Another big change is the removal of religion in the school as well as in the name if approved. RCCA would become Rock Creek Community Academy, which would allow them to retain some signage and uniforms since the acronym remains the same, Hauselman added. The school would focus on teaching the 40 Developmental Assets as defined by the Search Institute, which includes honesty, integrity and self-esteem.

The chances of the public hearing going well and subsequently finding out that they will receive a charter to open as a public school in the fall of 2010 looks good, Hauselman said.

“I feel really good about it,” she said. “Everybody is excited, very excited.”

Larry Gabbert, director of the Office of Charter Schools with BSU, said the majority of proposals that make it to the final pubic hearing phase succeed in becoming a charter school.

“At this point we don’t see any major obstacles for this particular school,” Gabbert said of Rock Creek being approved.

Gabbert said he will work with the school next week to set up a date and time between Nov. 30 to Dec. 4 for the public hearing. He said Ball State officials will be there and everyone from the community is invited to attend.

Hauselman said she isn’t sure what to expect out of the hearing.

“I know our parents will come, but from the community, I have no idea,” she said.

She said she’s ready for this process to be done with soon.

“Writing all this stuff and preparing it is time consuming,” Hauselman said of the presentations for Ball State. “But this waiting, I’m not good at that. I’m better when I have something to do!”

If approved, Hauselman said she’s up to the challenge of getting Rock Creek ready to be a public school

“I’m really looking forward to it. Most people this age aren’t looking forward to change, but it keeps you young!” Hauselman said with a chuckle. “I’m looking forward to being able to [effect] this many kids ... We have a lot to give to kids who really need it.”

The Evening News and The Tribune will run details on the public hearing as soon as it becomes available.