Built For Success
Vol. II, Issue 41 of The Bellwether — News from Arizona's Charter School Front

Pam Miller is currently serving her second term on the Paradise Valley School Board.  In addition to her school board duties, Miller operates a charter school with her husband, Greg.  While this is an unusual combination, Pam doesn’t see any conflict in the two positions.  Just as she is responsible for the 450 kids at the Challenge Charter School in Glendale, Arizona, she also takes seriously her responsibilities to the 39,000 kids in the Paradise Valley School District.

After Greg underwent open-heart surgery, he reassessed his life and decided there were changes to be made.  While recuperating he got the necessary forms to put Pam on the ballot for the next school board election.  He believed his wife’s extensive community involvement would help get her elected.  He was right.  Subsequently, the Arizona charter school law was passed and he decided to take another step in fulfilling his dream of entering the field of education.

Along with Dr. Lon Brouse, Miller wrote a charter.  The charter was granted and Challenge opened in 1996.  For three years the school operated out of a church building.  However, this fall the school opened a new campus that Miller believes is "just awesome and the realization of our dream."

The five-acre campus has eight buildings, 24 classrooms, administrative center and a large multi-purpose building.  The attractive buildings appear to be "standard" construction.  However, the buildings were "stick built" by Modular Technology in their factory and then brought to the site on trucks, and placed on the concrete foundation.

According to Mike Morton, President of Modular Technology, there are a number of advantages to this type of construction.  While the buildings are being constructed, the site is being prepared.  This simultaneous method makes the process much faster than conventional construction. The Challenge project was completed from start to finish in only six months.  Because Modular Technology  takes care of all the details of the process, such as obtaining building permits and certificates of occupancy, the operator is free to focus his/her efforts on educating students.

In addition to speed, the cost is lower than traditional construction and offers charter schools an opportunity to own a new facility for about $75 a square foot. While portable buildings are less expensive, communities would most likely prefer these buildings which could help reduce friction between neighborhoods and charter schools..  The "life expectancy" of this type of construction is also much longer than for portables which makes them more attractive to lenders.

The classrooms at Challenge are grouped in pods (4 per pod) around a central room, which can serve a number of purposes.  The large, bright multipurpose room is used for a cafeteria where breakfast and lunch are served.  Physical education is provided by an outside contractor on site. Challenge also provides transportation in their 3 buses.

Of course, the bright new buildings are not nearly as important as what goes on inside of them.  The education at Challenge is "grounded in the fundamental skills of a hands-on science and technology, academic core curriculum".  All regular classroom teachers are certified.  There is a waiting list for every grade except second.

According to Dr. Lon Brouse, who developed the science and math curriculum, while the school has a strong computer program, computers are not used for instruction or as a stand-alone activity, but rather as a tool.  Earlier this year students opened up some older, donated computers to learn how they work.  Brouse has an extensive background in chemistry, math and environmental science.

Katherine and Joe Vaiente have two children who have attended Challenge since it opened.  They like the low student teacher ratio and the "energy" of the school.  Their only complaint is that Challenge serves only grades K-6.  With a fifth grade son, they hope the Millers will extend their program to junior high.

The program and facilities at Challenge are impressive.  The Millers believe that their past business experience has been an important component to their success.  It may have also provided them with an ability to "think outside the box".  In her dual role as a district school board member and charter operator, Pam demonstrates that school choice and district schools are not opposing concepts.  Their choice of school construction also shows a willingness to try something new.  And it worked!