Hebrew Charter School Seeking Approval for Teaneck Location

A Hebrew immersion charter school initially slated to open last year in Englewood is seeking approval to open at an industrial complex on Galway Place in Teaneck, according to a zoning board agenda.

The Shalom Academy Charter School applied for site plan approval and parking variances to operate in the second floor of 125 Galway Place, the Teaneck Suburbanite reported. The building, off Palisade Avenue, is currently used by commercial warehouse space and a church.

The zoning board took no action on the school’s proposal at a June 7 meeting, and a June 21 special meeting is expected. An attorney handling the zoning board application did not return a call Tuesday.

Although first planned to , Shalom Academy was not able to get a certificate of occupancy and state officials delayed the opening last year. The school had also reportedly , however, the Galway place application marks the most concrete steps yet the school has taken to open in town.

A public records search in Englewood found no recent similar applications from the school.

The charter school is planned to draw students from both Teaneck and Englewood, with both districts providing funds. Charter schools are publicly financed, but not controlled by school boards. The Teaneck Board of Education allocated $1.4 million for Shalom Academy as part of the 2012-2013 budget.

Englewood schools officials pursued a legal challenge to block to the school, and district officials in Teaneck have expressed concerns about the program. 

Privately, some parents who won spots for their children at Shalom Academy have expressed concerns over what they say is a lack of communication. Shalom Academy Founder Raphael Bachrach, an Englewood resident, did not respond to a message seeking comment. 

State education officials have said they would review Shalom Academy again before July 15 to determine if the school can open in the fall.