Ivy Prep Raises Concern About Charter Approval Process
Despite passionate pleas, the State Charter Schools Commission voted Wednesday to grant a three year rather than a five year charter for Ivy Preparatory Young Men’s Leadership Academy in Kirkwood.
Earlier this year, the Georgia Board of Education gave the school a five year charter. But a few weeks ago, the school was told they needed commission approval if they wanted additional state funding as a result of legislation passed by state lawmakers. Ivy Prep Executive Director Nina Gilbert says she’s disappointed in the process.
“If charter terms can be changed at any time, it’s really hard to gain the confidence of your stakeholders when things continue to be so unstable.”
Gilbert says she was unable to voice her concerns to commission members prior to Tuesday’s meeting.
Meanwhile, commission members said they knew the process wasn’t perfect but the newly created commission was operating under a tight deadline to approve charter schools for the upcoming school year. The commission gave five year approval to two other Ivy Prep schools. Commission Chairman Charles Knapp says it based its decision on the Young Men’s Leadership Academy on performance data.
“The one that got a three year charter we want to keep on a little shorter string at this point, so we can watch their progress.”
But as a result of Ivy Prep’s track record in its other schools, Knapp says he’s confident in the school’s ability to improve its performance.
The Ivy Prep Young Men’s Leadership Academy opened less than a year ago. School officials say they have submitted a plan to boost performance at the Academy to both the Georgia Board of Education and the State Charter Schools Commission.
The commission held its first meeting in January after voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment allowing for its creation. Gilbert fought for the amendment’s approval.
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