When David Krause started as principal in 1999 at Renaissance Public School Academy there were only 77 students and the school was in jeopardy of closing.
Today the school at 2797 S. Isabella Road has more than 350 students and the school continues to grow.
“When I first came here we didn’t even have a sign out front for people to know where we were or even that we were a school,” Krause said. “But within a few years we got a nice new sign and I think that helped to establish our place in the community.”
Krause was principal at Valley Lutheran High School in Saginaw before accepting the position at Renaissance. Today he is on a part time contract with Renaissance, spending part of the year in Mount Pleasant and the rest in Arizona with his wife.
“I am semi-retired and so I bounce back and forth – I love it,” Krause said. “My number one priority is this school, so even when I’m not here and I am needed I work by phone.”
Renaissance is just one of the many Imagine Charter Schools across the country. While Krause is in Arizona he helps to evaluate some of the 10 schools which are located within the state.
Krause said he believes it is important for his staff to have a say in the decision making at the school.
“Last year when we were given $50,000 in bonus money I let the teachers decided who how they would divide the money,” Krause said. “I have always felt that you need to hire good people and keep them happy.
It is important to listen to the parernts’ concerns as well, Krause said. When there was a complaint about a lack of parking, the school doubled the amount of spaces, he said. Krause said the school spent $50,000 on new playground equipment when parents felt they needed a better place for recess.
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