I wanted to thank the Monitor for its continued coverage of charter schools.

Cocheco Arts & Technology High School Academy is an open enrollment, arts-based public charter school and flourishing. Enrollment has steadily increased since CATA opened in January 2005. Many applications have already been received for the 2008-09 school year. Students travel from 19 different communities to attend our school. Two families who moved from California and Virginia chose the Barrington area so their children could enroll at CATA.

In a new survey, 19 students indicated they had considered dropping out before enrolling in CATA. Currently, there are zero students who are considering dropping out. One hundred percent of the students indicated they want to go to college.

We were able to use a combination of funding sources and recruitment efforts and have adjusted our budget accordingly to achieve a balanced budget for the current school year.

We acknowledge the support and hard work of legislators who have worked tirelessly to find solutions for sustainable charter schools in New Hampshire. We are heartened by the bipartisan support for charter schools and look forward to working with New Hampshire legislators now and in the future.

We have felt supported by the state Department of Education as we continue to provide an option of arts-based, college preparatory public education in our great state.

DEB BYRNE

Barrington

(The writer is director of the Cocheco Arts & Technology High School Academy.)