Jackson Falconer
BRADENTON – A local charter school is set to have its future decided on Monday, March 27, when the school board votes on
whether to approve extending its contract, with Superintendent Diana Greene recommending a vote to decline renewal.
At the school board's last meeting on March 12, board members voted to give Manatee Charter School more time to make a case for why they should have a future in the Manatee School District, following a quasi-judicial hearing that featured much debate between attorneys and board members at the meeting.
The future of the school operated by Lee Charter Foundation, Inc. was put into question after the school was sent a Feb. 9 letter advising the district did not intend to renew the contract for MCS, claiming multiple breaches that included the school "not meeting their contractual, State and Federal statutory obligations" among many other findings. That letter followed notices to the school from the district advising that it was in danger of losing its charter due to said findings.
The Feb. 9 letter was followed by the school's legal counsel filing a motion on March 9 for continuance of a final hearing. Counsel argued that, at the time of the motion, MCS had "not seen any of the documents used by the school board to assess the charter school" and that the school's due process would be violated if such a motion is denied "where a continuance is necessary to allowing a party sufficient time to defend itself."
In the Feb. 9 letter to Manatee Charter, district attorney Mitch Teitelbaum wrote, "The findings from a thorough review of the Charter School program reveal evidence that Manatee Charter School does not meet the guidelines for renewal. The school is non-compliant in several areas within the Educational Program and the Organization Plan."
In Teitelbaum's letter and during the quasi-judicial hearing, references were made to Fla. Statute 1002.22(8)(a), which states "The sponsor shall make student academic achievements for all students the most important factor when determining whether to renew or may terminate the charter." The statute goes on to say that the sponsor can non-renew or terminate the charter for a number of reasons, including: if the school does not adhere to the state’s educational accountability system, or does not meet the charter’s student performance requirements, or "other good cause shown."
The quasi-judicial hearing at the March 14 meeting, during which MCS asked that a March 17 hearing on the matter be postponed, was requested by the charter school. A quasi-judicial hearing allows a governing body, such as a school board, to hear from two sides regarding a legal matter.
Shari McCartney, attorney for MCS, argued the school has had "insufficient time to prepare" for the coming March 17 hearing, after receiving requested district documents that were used to assess the school.
In response, attorney Erin Jackson, who was representing the district, said that "(the school demanded the documents) be produced yesterday, and it was. They have not been denied due process." She also said during the hearing: "Pursuant to the terms of this contract, the hearing had to be held in 30 days. That's why the hearing's set for March 17. That is why the hearing must go forward."
The charter school's legal representation pointed out they are not an 'F' school and argued they are a "school that produces." (The Title I school received a 'D' grade for the 2015-2016 school year from the Florida Department of Education.) Near the end of discussion, school board member Gina Messenger said she felt MCS should be given more time "to mount their own defense."
Monday's 8:30 a.m. Special Meeting will take place inside the School Board Chambers, located at 215 Manatee Avenue West in Bradenton.
Comments
No comments on this item
Only paid subscribers can comment
Please log in to comment by clicking here.