The Chartrand Foundation is spearheading a private screening of the controversial education documentary "Waiting for Superman" to be hosted by Mayor John Peyton.

The movie opens in Jacksonville on Oct. 22, but the private screening will take place on Oct. 21 at the AMC Regency 24 theater.

The film has sparked national debate, with some championing the film's message while others say it unfairly blames teachers and unions for poorly performing public schools.

Jeff Chartrand, executive director of The Chartrand Foundation, which is paying for the screening, said he hopes the film sparks a conversation that blooms into action by the community and its leaders.

"Whether you're watching 'Oprah' or 'Meet the Press,' people are talking about this movie, and we wanted to make sure that we didn't miss an opportunity here in Jacksonville to talk more deeply about education reform," said Chartrand.

The Jacksonville Public Education Fund will host a public forum in November to capitalize on the energy the movie ignites, said Trey Csar, the fund's executive director.

"Our hope is to run a series of conversations about education reform in Jacksonville and to give the community a chance to identify action steps," he said.

Csar said details around the forums are still being developed.

Peyton has invited more than 400 school, business and community leaders to see the film.

Mayoral spokeswoman Misty Skipper said that while Peyton hasn't seen the movie and may not agree with every point it raises, the movie can help start a discussion around education.

"He believes that it is important for the community to have dialogue about ways that we can improve the education system in our community," Skipper said.

The city is ripe for education reform, Peyton said through Skipper, and the mayor points to a recent Fordham Institute study that ranks Jacksonville fifth among large cities for its reform environment.

The mayor made a call to Duval Teachers United President Terrie Brady and others to let them know about the screening.

Brady, who has seen the movie, said she wished the film had taken a broader view of education and included success stories.

"I don't think it tells the true story," Brady said. "The movie is very selective, and I think it's incomplete and very misleading. It leaves the impression that all public school teachers are bad and it places the blame for failing schools on teacher unions."

Brady said that isn't true for Duval County.

Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals, who has not seen the film, agreed with Brady that the teachers union in Duval County isn't an obstacle to reform. Pratt-Dannals said he would see the movie and participate in the education fund's forum.

The national controversy surrounding the movie gave pause to some local organizations that were approached about helping with the event. Both Teach For America Jacksonville and The Florida Times-Union's City of Hope project opted not to participate in the screening. City of Hope is a multi-year project examining how children are raised and educated in Jacksonville.

Crystal Jones, executive director of Teach for America Jacksonville, said the movie is political and her organization doesn't endorse political messages.

"That said, I'm excited that this film is starting a conversation nationwide and right here in Jacksonville about where we're headed in education and what we need to do to make things better for all kids."

Lucy Talley, publisher of The Times-Union, said the paper's decision was about maintaining objectivity.

"It's too early in the life of the City of Hope project for it to appear as though we are in support or not in support of any specific reform effort," Talley said.

She said she plans to attend the screening.

topher.sanders@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4169

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-10-11/story/mayor-chartrand...