This is the first of a Series of Communications Concerning the Neighbor’s Perspective Regarding the Manara Academy

Do you know what is happening in your own backyard?

We didn’t until early April of this year. At that time, we received a notice from the City of Coppell notifying anyone within 200 feet of Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, located at 140 South Heartz Road, that the Manara Academy requested that the City of Coppell issue a revised Special Use Permit (SUP-S-1033R2-SF-12) to convert the primary use of this facility from a church to a K-8 Public Charter School.

While this has received some media attention, rumors and false information are circulating, and therefore it is important that the citizens of Coppell have factual information that will allow each person to decide for him or herself if this is compatible with our city’s strategic vision.

What is the Manara Academy Charter School?
• The Manara Academy is chartered as a K-8 public school with up to 500 students. This is roughly the same size as any Coppell Elementary School. Its plan is to start as a K-5 school with 326 students the first year (it already has a waiting list), and add an additional grade level each year. Its plan is to lease the property during the first year with the intent to purchase it in 2010.
• Per the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the Manara Academy has the ability to revise its charter in three years to become a K-12 school, and to also request to increase the number of students above the 500 currently in its charter.
• Out of the initial 326 students that will be enrolled more than 93% are from communities outside of Coppell. In fact, students will come from Irving, Arlington, Dallas, Grapevine, Lewisville, Plano, Grand Prairie, Carrollton-Farmers Branch, Hurst, Euless, Bedford, Colleyville, Flower Mound, and Coppell.
• We would encourage everyone to research the Manara Academy. You can check out its website at www.manaraacademy.org .
Why is this issue a big deal for Coppell and all of its citizens?
• The existing property is located in the heart of Coppell. It will add additional traffic and safety concerns to everyone traveling the streets of Coppell (i.e. MacArthur, Denton Tap, Sandy Lake, Bethel School and others).
• Although Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church had a previous Special Use Permit for 400 students, the school has yet to show evidence that it ever reached this number, and in fact, have disclosed that more than two-thirds of the students who attended were preschool age children who didn’t attend every day. The school’s drop off and pick up times were later in the morning and earlier in the afternoon than those of CISD elementary schools and thus did not add to the morning and afternoon traffic.
• Coppell’s elementary schools currently service their immediate neighborhoods. In contrast, the Manara Academy will draw from a large portion of the Metroplex. This is one of three charter schools in the State of Texas of its kind to offer its innovative teaching approach and foreign language choices.
• The Traffic Impact Analysis provided by Manara Academy showed that traffic will adversely impact the Level of Service on local streets and main thoroughfares. The negative impact on the overall traffic and “Quality of Life” will affect all of the citizens of Coppell. The Traffic Impact Analysis did not evaluate problems regarding traffic spilling over into neighboring feeder streets. Many of us already deal with traffic within our city, especially around our schools. The city has already recognized this as an issue, with Manara Academy further compounding the problem.
• Manara Academy’s Traffic Management Plan has inherent problems. Under its current proposal, there is the possibility that children exiting cars will have to cross in front of a running vehicle. This is not allowed at CISD schools. In fact, the Planning & Zoning Commission DENIED a start-up private school for this very issue when it recently requested an SUP. If the Manara Academy changes the proposed traffic flow to accommodate drop off and pick up, it will likely create a QUEUING issue on Heartz. There is a city ordinance stating that queuing on Heartz is not allowed.
• A Public Charter School will not generate any tangible revenue for the city, but will put additional financial constraints on our City Services which include but are not limited to police and fire departments, water and sewer, public library, parks, etc. In addition, the City will be responsible for any street and infrastructure improvements to help accommodate the school……again the use of our tax dollars.

THIS SITUATION WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY!

The City of Coppell has finished its work on Coppell 2030, and it is posted on the city’s web site at www.ci.coppell.tx.us under e-news. We encourage you to read the study’s finding and decide for yourself if Manara Academy fits into our city’s strategic vision.

Citizens of Coppell, what is the plea?

The plea is for each of you to voice your opinions and concerns to our city officials. They are elected to protect the interest of our city and its citizens regarding issues that impact our community like both the “Northlake” and “Barnett Shale” issues. Whether you support the location of this school or oppose it, we encourage each and every one of you to become informed on this issue and attend the specially called City Council meeting on June 16, 2009 where this issue will be voted on.

If you want to take action now, contact your council representatives via mail, e-mail or fax.

Mail: 255 Parkway Blvd.
PO Box 9478
Coppell, TX 75019
E-Mail: citycouncil@ci.coppell.tx.us
Fax: 972-304-3673

Future communications will be sent to continue to educate you on this complicated issue. Please forward this to other concerned citizens and neighbors of Coppell.

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! The time is now.