Charter schools are having a clear impact on enrollment in Robbinsdale District 281 schools.

The charter school segment has grown from 105 students in the 2002-03 school year to 620 students in 2008-09, outpacing non-public, home school and other public district school choices, Executive Director of Technology Dennis Beekman wrote in a memo to the School Board that was reviewed at the board's work session Monday, Aug. 10.

Of the 620 resident students in the district who are attending 51 different charter schools, 507 (87 percent) attend 16 schools.

"Each of these 16 charter schools serve 10 or more district resident students," Beekman's memo stated.

Most of the schools are within 5 miles of District 281; only two are located within district boundaries, Beekman said.

"Location is one of the factors," he said.

Charter schools also affect the budget, Beekman said, noting the loss of per pupil aid for those 620 resident students amounts to more than $3 million in revenue.

As part of its consideration of how to dispose of closed buildings, Superintendent Aldo Sicoli asked board members to consider whether they would be likely to approve the sale of one of the district's vacant buildings to a charter school.

He noted the board's current policy on disposal of school district property allows the board to reject, without cause, any or all offers, or to choose to negotiate the sale of properties.

The board agreed such a sale would need to be considered on a case-by-case basis, and only if it made financial sense to the district.

"I would not put a charter school in a residential area to compete with our schools," Boardmember Sherry Tyrrell said.

But Boardmember Jonas Beugen said he is more concerned about the district losing additional students.

"I think there is a place for charter schools," he said. "They provide an opportunity for creativity and opportunities for doing things differently. We should keep our options open. Having charter schools in the community isn't necessarily bad for our community."

Boardmember Peggy Green maintained it is not "a level playing field."

"Charter schools can do things we are not allowed to do," said Green, who did not support the district's sale of the former Lincoln School to Prairie Seeds Academy charter school.

"Until the playing field is level, I don't support charter schools in this district," she said. "This is flat out competition. I'm not ready to make it easy. They can exist, but I'm not interested in selling a building in one of our nice residential areas.

"There are families looking for choice and options, and they are leaving the district for that. I would like to offer those things here and bring them back home."

Green said she would "be thrilled" to have an opportunity to reopen schools to accommodate families who have left if they would decide to come back.

The largest number of students living in District 281 attend Beacon Academy, where 156 district students are currently enrolled.

Other charter schools serving more than 10 resident District 281 students in 2008-09 are:

- Minnesota Transitions, 2872 26th Ave. S., Minneapolis: 53 students

- Quest Academy, 3946 Wooddale Ave. S., St. Louis Park: 49 students

- Odyssey Charter School, 6201 Noble Ave. N., Brooklyn Center: 35 students

- Carter G. Woodson Institute for Student Excellence, 2620 Russell Ave. N., Minneapolis: 31 students

- Excell Academy for Higher Learning, 6510 Zane Ave. N., Brooklyn Park: 29 students

- MainStreet Performing Arts, 1320 Mainstreet, Hopkins: 27 students

- Harvest Prep, 1300 Olson Highway, Minneapolis: 26 students

- Prairie Seeds Academy, 6200 West Broadway, Brooklyn Park: 20 students

- International Spanish Language Academy, 12007 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka: 13 students

- New Millennium Academy, 1130 N. 7th St., Minneapolis: 12 students

- Sojourner Truth, 3820 Emerson Ave. N., Minneapolis: 12 students

- Minnesota Internship Center, 300 Industrial Blvd., Minneapolis: 11 students

- Lionsgate Academy, 32420 Nevada Ave. N., Crystal: 11 students

- Twin Cities International, 277 12th Ave. N., Minneapolis: 11 students

- Sage Academy, 3900 85th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park: 11 students

"I think there is a place for charter schools," he said. "They provide an opportunity for creativity and opportunities for doing things differently. We should keep our options open. Having charter schools in the community isn't necessarily bad for our community."

Boardmember Peggy Green maintained it is not "a level playing field."

"Charter schools can do things we are not allowed to do," said Green, who did not support the district's sale of the former Lincoln School to Prairie Seeds Academy charter school.

"Until the playing field is level, I don't support charter schools in this district," she said. "This is flat out competition. I'm not ready to make it easy. They can exist, but I'm not interested in selling a building in one of our nice residential areas.

"There are families looking for choice and options, and they are leaving the district for that. I would like to offer those things here and bring them back home."

Green said she would "be thrilled" to have an opportunity to reopen schools to accommodate families who have left if they would decide to come back.

The largest number of students living in District 281 attend Beacon Academy, where 156 district students are currently enrolled.

Other charter schools serving more than 10 resident District 281 students in 2008-09 are:

- Minnesota Transitions, 2872 26th Ave. S., Minneapolis: 53 students

- Quest Academy, 3946 Wooddale Ave. S., St. Louis Park: 49 students

- Odyssey Charter School, 6201 Noble Ave. N., Brooklyn Center: 35 students

- Carter G. Woodson Institute for Student Excellence, 2620 Russell Ave. N., Minneapolis: 31 students

- Excell Academy for Higher Learning, 6510 Zane Ave. N., Brooklyn Park: 29 students

- MainStreet Performing Arts, 1320 Mainstreet, Hopkins: 27 students

- Harvest Prep, 1300 Olson Highway, Minneapolis: 26 students

- Prairie Seeds Academy, 6200 West Broadway, Brooklyn Park: 20 students

- International Spanish Language Academy, 12007 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka: 13 students

- New Millennium Academy, 1130 N. 7th St., Minneapolis: 12 students

- Sojourner Truth, 3820 Emerson Ave. N., Minneapolis: 12 students

- Minnesota Internship Center, 300 Industrial Blvd., Minneapolis: 11 students

- Lionsgate Academy, 32420 Nevada Ave. N., Crystal: 11 students

- Twin Cities International, 277 12th Ave. N., Minneapolis: 11 students

- Sage Academy, 3900 85th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park: 11 students