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Toledo teachers waiting for 'green light' on charter school

TOLEDO -- Time may be running out for the Toledo Federation of Teachers (TFT) union proposed GEM Academy. But the union is moving forward anyway.

News 11's Tanieya Lewis has the latest in this assignment education report.

The union says the Toledo Board of Education has until the end of the month to vote on the new school or the plan may be put on hold. The board says it is not something that is being discussed, although that could change.

It was a plan that ruffled feathers in November when it was introduced. But the Toledo Federation of Teachers is pushing forward with it's proposed GEM Academy, a neighborhood school run by TFT. Francine Lawrence; president of TFT, told News 11 "We're ready to go, but we need the green light from the Toledo Board of Education."

With no time to waste, Lawrence is having informational meetings with her members. "Many teachers have expressed interest, but the formal process of applying has not occurred yet."

Debbie Welch is one of those teachers. "I was excited. I think it's what we need." In fact, she'd like to help run the new school. "Naturally, I'm a leader. So I would like to just be there and lead and give people positive ideas and collaborate with my colleagues."

She may have a chance to do that because she's a TRACS teacher, one who receives incentive pay to work in schools with low-income families and struggling students.

Others will include new hires and possibly current teachers in whatever school is replaced. Lawrence said, "They would have an opportunity to remain in the school, but that would not be guaranteed."

Where will the new GEM Academy go?

Many suspect Pickett Elementary -- a school that has been in trouble for eight years straight.

Lawrence explains, "Other schools that are on that timeline include Fulton, Chase, Nathan Hills and a few others. So this school could apply to any one of them.

If the plan goes through, then the union and the board will decide together which school the GEM academy would replace.

Posted by LS