BEAUMONT, Texas — Katie Perkins picks up her grandkids every day from Fehl-Price Elementary.
After school, they have their daily routines.
"We get our homework, and then today is Wednesday, so we have to go to church," said Perkins.
She's learned that the upcoming school year could be a little different for them.
If approved, Fehl-Price teachers would be working with charter operators.
"I didn't like them because it was like at a self-pace. You still didn't have any structure."
The other two campuses that could be affected: Jones-Clark Elementary and Smith Middle.
Beaumont ISD says this is an effort to keep these schools from closing.
They have each been in four to five-year improvement required status.
"The district started this process back in August," said Nakisha Burns, Director of Community and Media Relations for BISD. "We hosted a community meeting to educate our community on what the system of great schools entails."
Jones-Clark Elementary and Smith Middle could be partnering with Phalen Leadership Academies and Fehl-Price with Responsive Education Solutions.
"Now we are at the point, as stated previously, we will consider those partnerships proposals," said Burns.
Perkins says she doesn't like it, but she knows something has to be done.
"We got to do something, and we've got to get a hand on it because we're losing our children to the streets, to the gangs, to just dropping out of school," Perkins said.
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Beaumont Independent School District provided us with the following:
Our Goals for this Process
• Ensure four and five year IR schools are not closed by the state.
• Identify partners who will commit to serving the students and families in the identified schools to ensure quality education.
• Ensure all campuses are fulfilling Beaumont ISD’s mission of inspiring and preparing all students for lifelong success by providing an exemplary education in a safe learning environment.
Senate Bill 1882
• Senate Bill 1882 allows for incentives for districts that choose to partner with open enrollment charters or other entities such as institutes of higher learner, non-profits, or government entities.
• Incentives such as a two-year exemption from accountability and additional funding for the campus are included in 1882.
• Potential partners must have autonomy over curriculum, staffing, and fiscal management.