Salem Charter School Nets Big Support in Year One

The first school year for the Birches Academy of Academics and Art is coming to a close, and Salem's only public charter school has seen an outpouring of donations and support.

According to Paula Patten, outgoing president of the school's foundation, she and her fellow foundation members set a fundraising goal of $60,000 for the first year when the school first opened.

Between fundraisers, financial donations from families and community outreach, Patten said that the school raised $40,000 in the first year.

But Patten said that with the inclusion of other donated items, the facility actually far exceeded its goal, raising close to $80,000.

The school received nearly $30,000 in furniture, white boards, projectors, computer monitors, musical instruments, appliances, supplies, rugs, toys and playground equipment. Another $10,000 was also donated in after school enrichment and care programs.

Birches Academy also became a 501c3 organization last year, meaning any donations to the facility are tax deductible.

"We worked really hard this year, and there was an amazing amount of people that helped out," said Patten."

Aside from the school's private funding, every charter school in New Hampshire gets $5,450 per student in state funds. Patten said that it costs close to $12,000 for each student in the state to attend a public school. No local funds are transferred, which leaves the sending school district with one less student and over $6,500 in additional funds.

According to Patten, the current foundation board has seven members, all of whom are stepping down on May 14 to make way for a new board.

"We'll all still be here, so we're still planning on helping out the new board," she said. "It's good to have someone come in with fresh ideas as well."

The school began as the idea of 11 or 12 founding parents, including Patten, and two community members who didn't have any children at the school.

The school opened its doors to 88 students in September 2012.

Patten said that the school will almost double in student population for year two, which in turn will allow for an increase in fundraising goals.

The N.H. Department of Education approved the academy, which is in the old Furniture World location, in January 2012. According to the school's website, a total of $600,000 was provided to the school through a Federal Start-Up Grant.

The website also provides a clear definition for charter schools:

Charter schools are innovative public schools. A Charter school has a unique educational philosophy that offers an alternative to the traditional public schools.  The "charter" establishing each such school is a performance contract detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, and ways to measure success.

A foundation yard sale will take place on May 4 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

A golf tournament fundraiser is also planned for June 10 at Campbell's Scottish Highlands in Salem. The cost to participate is $126 per person and includes 18 holes of golf, a golf cart, driving range, BBQ lunch, contests, prizes and a raffle.

The deadline to register is May 22, and the form is available here.

For their service to the school, the Foundation of Birches Academy has also thanked the following businesses and organizations:

Main Street BP, Enterprise Bank, Polyvision, Blackwater Grill, Balducci's Pizza, Stachey's Pizza, T-Bones, Romano's Pizza, Armando's Pizza, Tuscan Kitchen, Salem Police Benevolent Association, Guitar Garage, Guitar Center, Advanced Allergy, Hannoush Jewelers, Pete's Farmstand, Muir Landscaping, Salem/Derry Elks, Heavenly Donuts, Lynch Chiropractic, Myriad Games and the 300 participants in the school's recent raffle.