The board of Crocker Arts and Technology School voted unanimously at their monthly meeting, April 21, to allow Encore Academy to share Crocker’s new space at 2301 Marengo St. for the next two years, a decision backed by the Recovery School District but left to the board’s discretion.

Encore was on hand to present the financial specifics of sharing the 60,000 square foot building. Crocker principal Charmaine Robertson said she had wanted to partner with a school with “a similar background and grade levels,” and felt Encore was a good fit. Encore, a startup school, projects an initial enrollment of 215 students in pre-kindergarten through second grade. Additional grades and another 100 students will be added in the second year.

The board was advised that the previous week had been a busy one at Crocker, with fourth graders taking the standardized LEAP test, fifth graders taking iLEAP and second graders taking the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Results will be released in May. This led to talk of mandatory tutoring for fourth graders, as Crocker adds them to the enrollment next year.

The board agreed to file Crocker’s federal tax forms, the only issue up for a vote.

The Recovery School District will visit and inspect the school on May 1, board members learned. And business manager Cherie Lopez announced that she has begun pursuing a $70,000 grant from the Teacher Incentive Fund to motivate faculty to strive for higher levels of achievement.

Also present at the meeting were chairwoman Grisela Jackson, vice chairman John Jones, and members Stephen Boyard and Edward Scharfenberg.