Public has differing views on STEM program at PCSS charter school

MALDEN – While state officials had a long discussion about whether to approve a new charter school in Saugus, members of the public had a chance to speak on the Pioneer Charter School of Science during Tuesday?s Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting.Saugus Charter School approvedFrancis Vigeant, a former math teacher at Lynn Classical, said the science, technology, engineering and math program (STEM) offered at PCSS “settles for less” and is “too little too late.”?One is hard pressed to find an innovation,” he said.He also pointed to “dramatic gains” in STEM at Lynn schools, calling the growth “unprecedented.”?Last year Lynn increased efficiencies by 18 points,” he said. “It?s the first urban STEM district. Students (at PCSS) will be disappointed because something bigger and better is already under way at Lynn Schools.”Sanella Jonuz, a founding member of PCSS in Everett, said the school is a “remarkable institution,” noting that despite the fact it?s a young school, “we?ve been very successful.”Jonuz also derided media focus on alleged ties to the Gulen Movement as “inferences about the PCSS that is without merit.”?The focus on the media has not always been what the PCSS is all about,” she said. “Jonuz said PCSS is not a Turkish school, and has no connection with any movements and does not offer any religious classes.?These similarities can be explained by the social network of the founders and the small community of charter schools,” said Jonuz. “We recruit talent from everywhere ? We have a very diverse staff with ethnic ties to 10 different countries.”Jonuz said focusing on the school?s possible Turkish ties “demeans our efforts to provide a high quality of education” and noted the school?s relationship with Turkish individuals is “no different than any other school.”?Nothing but high-quality education takes place at our school,” she said. “It?s unfortunate that so much time has been spent on these issues ?100 percent of our seniors have applied to colleges and we?re excited to bring our successful model to Saugus.”Lynn resident Roby Warden?s son has attended PCSS for four years and said he has received an education “I never really thought he would get from a public school.”Warden said teachers at PCSS have volunteered to tutor his son on weekends and mentor him, and after starting off in Lynn Public Schools, he said he “couldn?t wait to find an option.”?I don?t see any need for him to stay in the Lynn Public system,” said Warden. “I don?t see any benefit from it. Charter schools provide better guidance and inspiration ? The commitment is beyond anything I thought possible. I haven?t seen anything remotely related to the allegations. I?ve never seen any reference to anything other than a high standard of education.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].