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Maumelle charter school faces hearing on status Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006 By Aaron Sadler Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The state Board of Education on Monday scheduled a hearing next month on whether to allow a financially troubled central Arkansas charter school to continue operating. The board is to determine whether to revoke the charter of Academics Plus Charter School in Maumelle on May 8. Department of Education officials told the board that the school does not have enough money to operate past the end of April unless school patrons' fundraising efforts are successful. Academics Plus Director Nancy Acre told the board Monday that the school has raised enough money since March to take care of all of this month's expenses, including insurance. Another $125,000 is required to finish out the school year, she said. The open-enrollment charter school needs another $50,000 or $60,000 for June, she said. Patrons so far have raised $160,000, said Brenda Tapley, a parent of a child enrolled at the charter school. However, Acre said without more fundraising soon, the school will have no money in its checking account to pay May bills. "We're not at a point where the creditors are knocking at our door, but we are in a position of rapidly running out of funds," Acre said. "I have no clue what we're going to do when that money runs out." Bobbie Davis, assistant state education commissioner, said the school's financial difficulties are largely due to declining enrollment. The school had 317 students in April 2005, with monthly state aid of $142,000. Enrollment for the first two quarters of this year was 212, which lowered monthly assistance to $79,117. Current enrollment is 173 students, which will further drop state funding, Davis said. The school does not have a plan to keep itself operational for the 2006-07 school year, Davis said. Education Commissioner James wondered aloud how the school would function in the next month. "It appears, at least from what we're being told, it's still an issue with, at this point, no cash on hand to meet a May payroll," he said. "I think it's safe to say the school is in dire straits." The state board granted a charter to Academics Plus in 2001 and in 2004 renewed the charter for three years. Charter schools are distinct from public school districts, operating under an agreement that sets out specific goals for student success. Acre said it is possible for the school to finish out its year in early May. Students attend the school from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, which should give students enough hours to finish the school year early, she said. Tapley said supporters needed $65,000 more to meet their fundraising goal, if coupled with a $75,000 pledge from the Maumelle Facilities Board. However, Acre said after the meeting that she was not sure the $75,000 is available, realistically. The facilities board wanted the school to agree to a five-year building lease and increased monthly rent in exchange for the one-time payment, she said. |
