Following the Dec. 9 regular school board meeting a hearing was held to review the application of a charter school wishing to open in the district.

Co-founder Brian Smith and representatives of the Advanced Military and Aerospace Science Academy gave a 20-minute presentation outlining their request to open a charter school serving those looking to participate in JROTC and follow Air Force customs in the old Holy Child School in Fountain Hill.

Advanced Military Aerospace Science Academy will mimic the Air Force Academy in Delaware providing study in aerospace sciences along with college preparatory classes following the Project Lead the Way curriculum. The academy proposes to provide careers in aerospace and astronomy fields. Service in the military is not required upon graduation.

"We envision the charter school as not only an institution that will prepare cadets for college, [but] prepare them to lead," said Smith.

The school will serve 160 ninth and 10th graders in its first year and then add a grade each year, eventually reaching 300 students.

Superintendent of Curriculum Dr. Jack Silva gave a presentation during the hearing outlining his concerns about the application and highlighted the duplication of services between what the Bethlehem Area School District offers and what the proposed charter school plans to utilize. Project Lead the Way, which was just approved for BASD schools, allows students to advance in spacific courses and community service as career preparation. BASD also offers engineering programs at the Vo-Tech.

"I don't feel that the school is needed. The Vo-Tech has had pre-engineering programs for years. This board has already agreed to fund Project Lead the Way in our own schools. [It] amounts to unnecessary duplication. I question the ability of the proposed school to meet the educational needs of its students," said Silva.

Facilities Director Mark Stein and Business Manager Stacy Gober also gave presentations on the proposed facility and the financial status of the proposed school.

Charter school Representative Harold Kurtz, responding to concerns about finances and the budget for renovations at the proposed facility, said, "All budgets are living, breathing documents that do change. We looked at the building and know there are some open areas that can be modified for additional classrooms. Closer to the third year would bring in portable classrooms. We know we have enough to get us through the first couple of years, by the third year it is going to get tight."

Many residents spoke out against approving the new school during the public comment portion of the hearing.

"My concern is duplication of services that should go to strengthen stem programs in the district," said Rick Dow.

Micheal Spear urged the two parties to find a compromise, "I think the answer is to put Project Lead in the Way and ROTC together in our own [public] schools."

A decision is expected at a Feb. 10 public meeting. Smith said he hopes to open the proposed school in 2014.