Schools
Fulton Science Academy High Seeks State Charter
Although the state Board of Education has not ruled on the Fulton Science Academy High appeal of the county's charter termination, its leaders already have applied for a state charter.
Officials at Fulton Science Academy High School are seeking a new charter through a different agency, despite the fact that the Georgia Board of Education has yet to vote on the school’s appeal of the loss of its charter by the Fulton County Board of Education.
Gregg Stevens, general counsel and petitions manager for theState Charter Schools Commission, said that his agency has received an application from FSA High School for a charter. A decision on that application is expected in October and, if approved, would go into effect for the 2014-2015 school year.
Stevens said he doesn’t know how or if the school’s charter application will be affected if the state Board of Education votes to uphold the termination of the school’s local charter.
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“We’re administratively attached to the state Board of Education, but we’re largely independent,” Stevens said. “I really couldn’t speculate.”
The Fulton County Board of Education last December voted to close FSA High School following a recommendation by Superintendent Robert Avossa to terminate the school’s charter. An independent audit released to the school board last year reportedly showed the Fulton County School System has had concerns with the school throughout its 7-year history.
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Earlier this year, FSA High School officials appealed to the state, asking the state Board of Education to keep the school’s doors open.
“The parents obviously want the school to stay open and are hoping that we continue to have the opportunity to have the school available for kids,” said Maria Beugdeeb, a parent and chairman of the school’s governing board.
Beugdeeb said she was never told why the local school board wanted to terminate the school’s charter.
“I guess because they can, but no, not really,” she said.
The state Board of Education could take up the charter issue at its meeting on Friday. Department of Education Director Matt Cardoza said that any discussion will be held in executive session and a vote would occur likely during the consent agenda.