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GASTONIA, N.C. – Johnna Putnam hands out fliers to people driving by and tells them about a rally planned for next week. She is a mom on a mission. She’s got three girls at Piedmont Community Charter in Gastonia. She’s fighting to keep them there. Β She says, “They want to be at the school, we want them to be at the school, we feel there are no other options.”Β
Charter leaders feel they have no other option but to become a K – 8 program due to low high school enrollment and no waiting list for those grades. Β WCCB Charlotte obtained the email that was sent to charter school families, explaining the decision and that it’ll kick in in the fall of 2015.Β
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“We want them to see that we do care and we’re prepared to fight back and keep our school,” says 9th grader Taylor Gunn. Β She was one of several students who gathered on campus Friday to spread the word and show support. “I really do like the education. I think that it’s a very good school and it should stick around,” says Gunn.
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11th grader Erica Barraca fears “starting over” for her final year of high school. She says, “They won’t even know my name. It’s just gonna be another name on the roll to give a diploma.”Β
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Putnam is determined to keep that from happening. She drives 30 minutes for her kids to come here because she feels it’s the best education in the county. “Step up to the plate and provide that excellent education that you promised the parents, that you promised the kids you would do,” says Putnam.
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WCCB Charlotte contacted the school today, but the principal declined to speak with us. There’s a rally Monday at Bethlehem Baptist Church at 6 pm. There’s also board meeting Tuesday, October 28th. It’s open to the public.Β
