Published: November 03, 2009 12:12 am      

Final stretch for Rock Creek Christian Academy

Sellersburg school presents full proposal to become a charter school Tuesday

SELLERSBURG — It’s a mix of nerves and excitement for Sara Hauselman, principal of Rock Creek Christian Academy in Sellersburg.

Today [Tuesday], she is going to Ball State University in Muncie to make her final pitch for Rock Creek to open as a charter school in the fall of 2010.

“You’re always nervous with stuff like that,” Hauselman said. “You don’t ever know until you get that final word, but I’m very optimistic.”

After being turned down the first time around when it applied for a charter, the school made changes to its plan.

School officials then submitted their updated plan in July to Ball State, which is the only university in the state to sponsor charter schools. In August, Hauselman and others went up to present a preliminary proposal and to answer questions. Officials were invited to come back with a more thorough proposal today.

Hauselman said much of the difference between the proposals is projecting out further, such as having a five-year budget and enrollment projections as opposed to two-year ones.

The school, which had 169 students in 2008-09, according to the Indiana Department of Education, expects to see an increase if it opens as a charter school, which would be tuition-free public school. Hauselman said she predicts the school will reach capacity in three years, nearing 500.

Hauselman said she will hear back this week whether the school will be invited back for the final round, which will include a public hearing during the week of Nov. 30 to Dec. 4. The Ball State president will announce schools chosen to receive a charter Dec. 7, according to Ball State’s Web site.

Hauselman said it’s taken some time for adults to get used to the idea that the school may become a charter school, which would take away the religious aspect of it. However, she said the students have been on board since day one.

“Having more kids here, they love that. The kids are very excited about it,” she said.

Hauselman said there will be no problem converting the school over by fall 2010, if approved, since the school already has a building, furniture, staff and more that’s needed.

The Evening News and The Tribune will release details of the public hearing date and time if the school is approved to move on to that stage.