For some students in Mammoth Lakes, life holds Olympic promise. That means lots of time out of school, competing in other countries. That’s where the Mammoth Olympic Academy comes in, and the schools charter which needs renewal.

Mammoth School Superintendent Frank Romero said that tonight’s hearing on the charter school is what he called a technicality. Romero explained that when the charter expired in July, it was not renewed. Romero said that the transition from one superintendent to a new one caused an oversight in renewal of the charter.

For parents concerned that the school district might not renew or might try to merge the charter school with the high school, Romero said that the hearing is just for the community to voice their views. He said that the charter school program is very important. The children need an alternative path for education. With Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in our backyard, several students are on an Olympic track. Kids travel and are gone up to 50 days out of the school year.

Romero said the Mammoth Olympic Academy educates the students hard at work on Olympic sports. We have to accommodate these children, said Romero.

Greg Bretz, just named to the Olympic Snowboard team, attends the charter school as do other Olympic hopefuls. Many of the students are also Spanish speaking who are not ready to assimilate into regular high school.

The meeting on the future of Mammoths charter school happens tonight at the school board meeting. The charter school public hearing is set for 6pm in the high school library.