Coverstone Brings Proactive Approach to Charter Schools

Metro Schools director Jesse Register appointed a former board member Tuesday to oversee the district’s growing number of charter schools.

Alan Coverstone will take a newly created position as executive director of charter and private schools. He comes from the private education world. He leaves Montgomery Bell Academy after 14 years as academic dean.

Metro Schools has three charter schools with two more coming online in the fall. Coverstone says the district can no longer simply react to charter school companies who submit proposals, it must be proactive.

“The bigger issue is to lay out specifically what we would like to see added to our school district. In other words, the burden is really on the school district to say these are our needs.”

For example, Coverstone says, the district has had trouble serving English Language Learners and special needs students. Metro Schools also expects more national companies to show interest in Nashville because of a new expansion of who can attend charter schools.

Coverstone will manage the application process and oversee regulation. The 5-year-old KIPP Academy is up for review later this year.