In 2012, Superintendent Alberto Carvahlo made a promise to increase schooling capacity in the area. Three years later, Carvahlo is adamant about keeping his promise, but this has not gone without concerns from the community.
On December 4, Carvalho presented a proposal to construct a school in conjunction with Krop for 500 students on 23 acres of Highland Oaks Middle School’s campus. The new school will be modeled after the iPrep program, which uses a “blended learning” program that combines online instruction with an on-sight teacher who guides students, and forgoes conventional educational practices like bells and traditional classrooms. The school also requires juniors and seniors to intern at places like hospitals and court houses.
Carvahlo believes that the success he has had with other choice programs will translate to the new school. After reproducing MAST academy and instituting iPrep programs throughout the county with much success, Carvahlo believes this area would benefit from a new choice school.
“The idea of replicating an iPrep type academy that is associated with Krop Senior High school that provides one additional option and provides relief within the same attendance boundary is a reality whose time has come,” Carvahlo said.
While Carvahlo is resolute that the new satellite school will benefit the community, some at the presentation felt differently.
Michael Gayosos, a parent of former Krop students believes that building the school will cause problems in the area. “We can’t handle the traffic.” Gayosos said. “We really can’t handle whatever is going to happen with this construction.”
In response to this, the superintendent discussed the research and studies that will go into correcting any issues people may have. “My commitment to you is that part of the due diligence we will engage in will address every one of those issues,” Carvahlo said.
Senior Sara Eghtessadi is concerned that the academic requirements at the new school will alter the diversity at both Krop and the new school.
“I’m taking AP classes and in those classes there is a very small minority of students from the minority of races,” Eghtessadi said.
Carvahlo went back and forth with Eghtessadi for 15 minutes and addressed the emphasis he has placed on diversity throughout his career as a Hispanic, noting that when he became the superintendent in 2008, very few predominantly black schools offered AP classes, but has since made certain that every school offers AP classes.
Carvahlo insists that the new school will in any way diminish the product at Krop, but will only act as another, beneficial option for those in the community. “What I know is these days, if you change nothing, that is its death,” Carvahlo said. “I can promise that the best days of Krop are not behind us.”