Charter Update: Proponents To Host Rally at Clayton Valley High Tonight

Just over a week after receiving what Clayton Valley High Charter High School proponents are calling a "defato-denial" by the Mt. Diablo Unified School District board, proponents will hold a rally in the CVHS's mulit-use room at 7 p.m. tonight.

Supporters want to showcase what has so far been wide-range support in the Clayton community for converting the local high school into a charter.

Last week, with the MDUSD board's decision , put charter organizers in a tough spot. The board wants to see more details about the charter before granting approval. They set a Feburary 2012 deadline for the conditions to be met.

But charter proponents say the conditions asked for go far beyond what is called for by state law. And they say that by giving partial approval to the charter, it made it more difficult for proponents to appeal the decision to the Contra Costa Office of Education, .

Charters supporters also say they still hope to work with the district in finding a solution. The district's lawyer Deborah A. Cooksey and the charter group's lawyer Paul Minney have had discussions since last week's meeting that have been positive, Clayton mayor David Shuey said.

A meeting with charter supporters and board members is planned for today.