Clearing the Record through the Press
Gillingham Charter School, one of the nation’s most unique public charter schools, is located in old-town Pottsville, Pennsylvania, in the state’s historic coal mining region. Housed in a beautiful, classic 19th-century school building, it is one of the nation’s most unique public charter schools.
Gillingham is the only public charter school in the world that provides the globally popular Charlotte Mason Relational Learning curriculum.
And it’s charter renewal time. Of course–it’s Pennsylvania. Of all the states where we represent charter schools (43 CONUSA states and Hawaii, here we come), PA has the most antiquated charter school law that causes complications for the schools of choice and their authorizers: school districts. In this context, designating school districts as authorizers for competing charter schools is as illogical as appointing Auto World to oversee Pep Boys. But as the saying goes, “only in Pennsylvania.” The slim 5-year operating charter terms make the Keystone State the most authoritarian state to operate a charter school. It is accurate to say that all charter schools in Pennsylvania are either in the process of renewal, have recently completed their renewal, or are about to begin their renewal.
With renewals come a long, complicated application process that involves enough paperwork to flatten a forest and the many inspections, reviews, and analysis that come with the territory. And for Gillingham Charter School, charter renewal time is no easier.
Sylvia Marketing & Public Relations has consistently advocated for our clients in public forums. When the press approaches us, we are equally prepared to present the facts, provide evidence, and assist our clients in restoring their reputations.
The business of running charter schools, Christian schools, and all kinds of private schools requires careful strategic communication with the public. School marketing, school public relations, and school advertising is like a three-legged stool: if one is missing, things will get wobbly and you may crash. But you need to know what you are buying, how to use the communications venues, and how to best frame your messages to your target publics (audiences).