No decision yet on sponsoring Gibault

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Imagine your child at school, failing, frustrated, and fighting for help. Rita Kaperak of Vigo County said she had that child.

She said her daughter was failing at the public school, until her daughter left and went to Gibault.

"She's now carrying honor roll and was honored as the most improved student of the first semester of the school year," Kaperak said.

She said Gibault gave her daughter that extra help she needed and now Kaperak said she needs help from the board by accepting Gibault's proposal.

However, sponsoring a charter school comes with some concerns, according to Vigo County School Corporation's lawyer Charles Rubright.

He told the board out of 53 charter schools in Indiana, only three are sponsored by public schools.

"I think the public schools have made a determination that maybe they shouldn't be in the sponsoring business because they don't have the expertise," VCSC lawyer Charles Rubright said.

Whether Vigo County School Corporation can handle the charter school or not is unknown, but here's what we do know.

We know the school corporation cannot be forced to sponsor a charter school.

We know if Gibault does not find other sponsors, Vigo County School Corporation must take in Gibault students living Vigo County.

Kaperak said her daughter needs this school and her child is not ready to leave Gibault.

The Vigo County School Board will make a decision at the next meeting on February 22nd at 7 p.m. at the Administration Building.