Councilman Jewell Getting Behind Patrick Henry Effort

RTD:

City Councilman E. Martin Jewell is stepping up to the plate for Richmond’s first charter school.

The Fifth District representative sent a letter to School Board Chairwoman Kimberly Bridges on Saturday expressing his “deep concern” over lingering issues that could prevent the Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts from opening in July.

He requested a meeting with Richmond Public Schools officials and others to work out the issues.

Issues that are still looming include;

Patrick Henry spokeswoman Kristen Larson said the school’s organizers are grateful for Jewell’s support. She said they still are waiting for a lease to the building and to be recognized within the 2010-11 school budget, which was adopted last month and will be finalized in June after state and city revenue allocations are known.

Larson said the group also is waiting on a response to its three-year handicap-accessible building plan, which was provided to the board last November.