SALEM — The founder of a proposed Salem-based charter school is in talks with Shetland Park to open at the sprawling, ocean-side office park.
Road to Success Charter High School would be the second charter school in Salem — and the second to locate at Shetland Park. Salem Academy Charter School opened to sixth- and seventh-graders in 2004 and now has students through 12th grade.
Road to Success founder Robert Guinto Jr. said yesterday the school has had "serious discussions" with Shetland Park for a 34,000-square-foot space that would house both the school and a media library.
"Both the landlord and (the school) are in agreement that it would be a good site for the school," Guinto said.
The school would sit about 100 yards away from Salem Academy Charter School, but in a separate building, said Tom Kent, Shetland Park's vice president of real estate. Building 4, where the new school would locate, already houses the Salem Registry of Deeds and the state Department of Children and Families. The school would be in essentially self-contained space, similar to Salem Academy, with entrances on either end.
"It'd be the equivalent of a free-standing building," Kent said.
Kent expects to sign a five-year lease, though that detail hasn't been ironed out yet.
"We're obviously excited about the possibilities of it and looking forward to continued discussions with him," Kent said.
All of this, however, hinges on the charter school's receiving approval from the state Board of Education, which is expected to vote on Road to Success in February. On Monday, the school received a vote of confidence from the state when its application was one of eight — from an initial round of 14 — to be advanced to the next step in the process.
"We will not be able to sign a lease unless we're approved," Guinto said.
That adds another challenge. If the school is approved, it must then act swiftly to get the building ready in time for a September 2010 opening.
"We were trying to find a space that can absorb us immediately," Guinto said.
Guinto said his school has also considered other locations, including the former St. Joseph School and the Cummings Center in Beverly.
Sean O'Neil, executive director of Salem Academy Charter School, said Guinto has offered to discuss ways the two neighboring schools could collaborate on some projects.
"We support the concept of choice in the community, and we support charter schools," O'Neil said. "So whether it's located next door or across town, it doesn't make a big difference. We wish them well."
Guinto said one of the site's advantages is that the school would be within walking distance of Salem Depot (they're less than a mile apart), and that a bus also runs from the train station to Shetland Park.
When fully enrolled — a process that may take three or four years — the school could serve up to 400 students, he said.
Road to Success Charter High School would educate limited-English students from Salem, Peabody and Lynn.
Staff writer Chris Cassidy can be reached at ccassidy@salem news.com.
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