Manara-CS090522 (2)
Coppell officials deny charter school permit after resident complaints 7: 15 AM CT I New... Page 1 of2
Coppell officials deny charter school permit after resident complaints 7:'S,\\1Cl
07:15 AM CDT on Friday. May 22, 2009
By KATB ERINi': LEAL UNMllTll1 The Dallas Morning News
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CoppeWs planning and zoning commission recommended Thursday denying the rezoning request of a public charter school seeking to
open in the city amid heavy neighborhood opposition.
During a meeting that lasted more than four hours. residents living nearby the proposed Manara Academy elementary school lined up one
by one to speak against its planned opening in August.
They told commissioners that if the school is allowed to open with 326 students in the former Christ Our Savior Lutheran school building.
it will cause traffic and safety problems. They also expressed concerns that many of the school's students live outside the city and will be
bused in.
Manara touts that it will be the tirst in the state to offer expeditionary learning. a hands-on curriculum. It also would be one of the few in
the state offering Arabic and French classes. Leaders say that in Arabic, manara means beacon or lighthouse.
Though leaders from the Islamic Center of Irving have promoted the school. school officials say the school is public and non-religious.
School leaders originally intended to tind a school site in Irving, where civic leaders including Mayor Herbert Gears backed their
application to the Texas Education Agency.
Commissioners voted 3-3. which chairman Edmund Haas said meant the school's bid to obtain a revised.Sbeciaiilse nermitloopen inthe
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"I felt it was a life safety issuc," said commissioner Gregory Frnka. who backed denying the school's re()uc:,i.
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But Anna Kittrell. a commissioner who supported the school. said it made sense to approve allowing Man::ra tc cper: ir: a hd!d:r:r, that ....'a~
designed primarily as a school. Digg Googl
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'She also pointed out that the Lutheran school ,previously operating in the building had a higher enrollme:'lt than ~~R8Fg. of about tOO live
students.
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"This has always been a school- it's not that this is a new thing," she said. "[Manara] is a school and it"~ a ni~ition to our More,
community. I feel like we are a global village," i
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The decision to reject the request came despite the fact that city staff had recommended it for the second time in a row. under the condition
that the school design a separate bus loop.
City officials said because of the large number of residents living within 200 feet of the school opposed to its opening that a super-m~iority
will be required for zoning approval.
The church. which is leasing its building to Manara. already holds a special use permit allowing a church and school to operate at the site.
Religion was not mentioned at the meeting. except when commission chair Edmund Haas asked the school principal what type of activities
would be held and whether they'd hold Christmas parties.
During the meeting some residents displayed aerial pictures of the school labeled with problem areas. Others said increased tramc could
mean dangerous levels of carbon emissions.
"Increased traffic flow from the school will negatively impact the high standards of our neighborhood and the city of Coppell and bring
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontentl dws/ dn/latestnews/stories/O 5 2209dneducharters... 5/22/2009
Coppell officials deny charter school permit after resident complaints 7: 15 AM CT I New... Page 2 of 2
sarety concerns ror our residents:' said Wes Mays, president or the Westbury Manor Homeowners Association.
Meanwhile. teachers and parents who plan to send their children to the school said the school's unique approach would make it an asset to
the community. One woman asked-"Is it really the tramcT'
Homeowners at times became emotional.
Sarwat Ismail said he plans to walk his two children to the school. He referred to himself as a "Lone Ranger" as a Coppell resident
supporting the school.
"I don't understand what's the big russ about the traffic and safety," he said, "It's almost like the biggest snow job in the world as far as the
case that these folks have.. ,at the end of the day it doesn't hold water:'
After he spoke, resident Deanie Jaime turned and faced him during her speech.
"I want to make sure the sarety or my children is accounted for:' she said. "The more people on the road, the more dangerous it is ror my
family. Mr. Ismail. the sarety or my children is not a snow job."
Out or 53 property owners living within 200 reet orthe school. 27 reported they opposed the school and zero supported it. City officials
said 19 people rrom outside the community said they opposed the school, and none supported it.
However, several parents who plan to enroll their children at the school and teachers spoke in support of the school Thursday. Most live
outside Coppell.
Some neighbors said they were concerned that only about 22 of the school's students are Coppell residents and most students are coming
rrom the south, including Irving.
Ruben Ramirez of Carrollton told commissioners he wanted a better education for his two daughters and that's why he chose Manara.
"We're looking for a better education:' he told them. "Give us the opportunity and see how that works."
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontentl dws/ dn/latestnews/stories/052209dneducharters.,. 5/22/2009