Doctors Leeson and Silva did their homework. BASD residents can rest at ease that the education of BASD students is safe guarded from charlatans, and taxpayer’s dollars continue to be well spent.

Anyone attending the second STEAM charter school application hearing Jan. 22 was privy to a flawless, well planned and researched presentation by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Maureen Leeson and Superintendent Dr. Jack Silva. Their recommendation to the board is to deny the proposal.

Many questions went unanswered by the STEAM team at last month’s meeting, and Leeson and Silva offered the following rebuttals this time around:

1- The applicant indicates having support and/or partnerships with Lehigh University, Touchstone Theater, IU20, BASD Proud Parents organization, Bethlehem and YMCA. No partnerships exist, however, Silva obtained letters from these entities opposing the STEAM charter school.

2- Ninety-seven form letters were submitted favoring the STEAM Charter School. BASD invalidated these letters, exclusively from the Third and Fourth Street area, suggesting that an on-foot STEAM representative went door to door getting signatures, with little to no explanation of what they were signing, Silva said. Thirty-two of these form letters came from areas outside the district.

3- Leeson said the proposed literary approach is widely rejected.

4- The lack of experience or expertise in science, engineering, arts, or special education on the STEAM founding committee raised more concerns.

5- Outdated and obscure teaching methods were referenced in the application.

6- Application has insufficient information regarding student support, student security, student and staff safety. The STEAM team was not prepared to answer questions regarding parking, yet Leeson had accurate and specific details regarding actual parking.

The board has until March 2 to make a final decision.