User talk:Men Who Care

Some going before the board Monday were on hand primarily to thank the district for supporting their plans. That would include Sims Fayola International Academy.

■Read the district recommendations on new schools and charter renewals by region. ■See the recommendation on Sims Fayola International Academy in FNE Denver The charter school is recommended for approval as the second all-boys charter school aimed at minority students, targeted for the Far Northeast. The board has already approved one, the Miller-McCoy Academy, a 6-12 charter opening in FNE Denver in August 2013.

The Sims Fayola International Academy, also a charter for grades 6-12, is on track to open at the High Point Omni in August 2012, with 250 students – 120 sixth-graders and 130 ninth-graders. It would grow gradually until 2015-15 when it enrolled about 720 students.

Sims Fayola had originally been up for consideration by the board in June, but was asked to fine-tune its application and come back to the board this fall. Its application now has the district’s backing.

T.H. Mack, a Sims Fayola board member, said he was grateful to have the district’s positive endorsement for a school that he said will give young urban males the tools to overcome “the economic disparities that have plagued this community for a long time.”

“A good education is something that shouldn’t be just important to those who have the means … It’s not a luxury. It’s a right.” He added, “A good education is something that shouldn’t be just important to those who have the means, such as my children and some of yours might have. It’s not a luxury. It’s a right, and it’s a commitment we should have to all our young people.”

Outside the DPS building afterward, Dedrick Sims, executive director for Sims-Fayola, sounded as if he was ready for opening day 2012.

“We’re really excited,” said Sims. “We’re ready to roll.”