The first day of school is always hectic after the humdrum days of summer.
Some families scramble to find backpacks and catch buses.
But those involved in a growing school-reform movement face different dilemmas: clogged toilets, wet paint in the school hallways and deciding whether to tile classrooms.
"Last night we had 50 parents show up to clean up so the painters could come in," said Eric Smith, a founder of Timpanogos Academy, one of the three new charter schools opening in Utah this year.
"There are challenges to come here," Smith said, taking a break from a list of chores that need to be done to prepare a new building for the first day of school Sept. 3.
"It's going to be a lot more work for the parents," he said. "It's been a lot of work already. But it's something we believe in."
Supporters of the relatively new kind of public schools say more Utahns are converting to the idea, even though at some schools parents are strongly urged to volunteer 40 hours per year and drive children to and from school.
Unlike the tepid response given to the state's pioneering charters, droves of parents this year clamored for the limited spots in charter-school classes long before the first bell rang.
The state's three new charter
schools — Timpanogos Academy in Lindon, John Hancock Charter School in Pleasant Grove and Thomas Edison Charter School in Logan — turned hundreds of students away because of space restrictions.
"Anytime you look at a population of students as large as (Utah's), there will be a large population of students that would like something different," said Steve Laing, state superintendent of public instruction.
"These schools are in that niche and, because they are public schools, offer opportunities for choice without the requirements for tuition and fees."
Utah's legislators, prodded by school-reform advocates, passed a 1998 law allowing eight charter schools to open on pilot status. Tax money earmarked for each child's education is given to charter schools instead of school districts.
The law came as thousands of similar schools cropped up across the United States. This fall, some 2,700 charter schools will open nationwide, according to the Center for Education Reform in Washington, D.C.
Charter schools, mostly governed by boards of parents and teachers, are set up under a "charter" that offers them some educational freedom. In Utah, however, charter schools still must incorporate the state core curriculum, hire state-certified teachers and participate in statewide tests.
Some charters have an emphasis, such as Sundance Charter School's focus on environmental studies. Others, such as the three opening this fall and Pinnacle Canyon Academy in Carbon County, are opened mostly to provide an alternative for the general population.
The schools' charters also set caps on the number of students who can attend. Waiting lists are common. Nationally, more than two-thirds of charter schools have waiting lists, many either matching or exceeding the school's enrollment, the Center for Education Reform reports.
Utah's three new schools are no exception.
Smith said one spot is open at his 350-student school. A fourth-grade slot became available when parents decided to return to the neighborhood school.
Thomas Edison co-founder Patty Peterson filled the last fifth-grade slot the week before the 225-student school started. Another 50 or so parents were placed on a waiting list.
Since last fall, Timpanogos has experienced a 20 percent turnover on rosters. But students from a waiting list of more than 200 children replaced those who dropped out, Smith said.
"When reality sets in," he said, "they decided not to come."
What's the appeal of a charter school? Why the interest? And why now?
While Utah's charter schools operate under a contract with the state or local board of education, they are independent from school districts.
Parents have more direct involvement in governing boards. They make rules, pick curriculum, enforce dress codes and even hire — and fire — teachers.
Susan Mathias, who leads a committee setting activities and new traditions for Thomas Edison Charter School, used to volunteer in her child's former school. She often was asked to listen to struggling students read.
"But I found . . . I wanted to be used more, or better," she said. "I wanted to help more than I was let help."
Charter schools also bank on parent support to help meet the bottom line. A contractor whose child is on Thomas Edison's waiting list donated time to help turn a would-be strip mall into a campus.
At John Hancock, the accountant is a parent. Others mow lawns, clean bathrooms and answer phones.
But family involvement at the school — in any capacity — is the most influential element in a child's academic success, says Julie Adamic, director of the 160-student school.
"They are vested," said Adamic, a former teacher in Provo City School District who founded the school largely to help a son who struggled in his overcrowded Alpine District school. "They have a personal stake in making sure it succeeds."
Smith has felt a backlash from public-school supporters, however. Critics have told him charter schools suck funds away from public schools already struggling with money woes.
"They feel like we are stealing money from their schools," said Smith. "They say, 'Why are you trying to destroy our neighborhood schools?' "
Considering Utah's conservative politics, such feedback surprised Smith. National conservative groups endorse such school-reform movements as charter schools and vouchers.
"A lot of people would like to send their kids to private school but can't afford it," he said. "We're trying to offer them a choice that they don't have to pay for."
Some school districts also are warming to the idea of charter schools and sponsoring some of their own.
Park City School District chartered the Park City Learning Center serving at-risk students.
Cache School District is inviting Logan School District to team up for a charter school. The school would target at-risk students and join several school, community and private alternative programs.
A year ago, Cache denied Thomas Edison's charter as a drain on school funds.
Superintendent Steve Norton views the charter as duplicative to choices already available in regular public schools, whereas his proposed charter would catch students falling through the cracks. In other words, sort of a want versus need.
But he says he has no ill will toward his new neighbor and is confident the school will do well.
"We don't question that, and we hope that they are," Norton said. "They are our neighbors and friends."
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