Charter school future in question

Palm Coast Observer
News

School Board Attorney Kristin Gavin still recommends terminating the contract with Palm Harbor Academy charter school, she told the board at a June 5 workshop. The charter school has so far not responded to a 30-day “notice to cure” which was sent out May 16, listing several items that require a remedy.

At the next school board meeting, June 19, the board will vote on whether or not to send a 90-day notice of termination. They will consider any response from the academy and staff recommendations.

There were no questions by the board members in response to Gavin’s comments and no one spoke from the audience.

After the meeting, Gavin said the biggest concern listed in the notice was the fact that 13 students were transferred from the charter school to a private school on the same campus. The transfer meant that the students missed the state assessments test, and board members have suggested that the move was done so the school would not receive a failing grade.

“I’m not sure how they can defend removing 13 students that will not be evaluated in the (Florida Standards Assessment),” Gavin said.

At an earlier meeting, an academy representative said the move was requested by parents.

Other problems listed in the notice to cure had to do with transparency. For example, the school’s website does not keep an accurate record of meetings and minutes, Gavin said. The academy has also not provided adequate information on students that need transportation.

SHAKING STADIUM

When the 40-year-old stadium at Flagler Palm Coast High School is full of people jumping up and down, there is stress on the concrete. The stadium is not in danger of collapsing, but maintenance is needed, staff told the School Board at the June 5 workshop. The low bid received to make concrete and rebar repairs, replace lights and paint the outside of the stadium is $872,800, and the board will vote on the matter at their next regular meeting. The repairs would be good for about 10 years, staff told the board.

The School Board will also consider whether or not to accept a $2.5 million offer for property at 1 Corporate Drive, which the Board has decided to sell.

Some members said the rising real estate market could bring a higher price in the future, but the board decided to request a list of capital items coming up, saying the money may be needed now.