Virtual charter schools in Broward, Palm Beach could close following audits
air of virtual charter schools in Palm Beach and Broward counties may soon shut down, following complaints of poor student performance, allegations of ethical breaches and hostility between the schools' governing board and management company
An audit committee for Broward County schools recommended Thursday that the district terminate its contract with Florida Virtual Academy at Broward, which has been operating for three years.
The school's governing board, the South Florida Virtual Charter School Board, also oversees Florida Virtual Academy at Palm Beach, which has been under review since October by the Palm Beach County School District's Inspector General. Together they serve about 350 students.
The charter schools are not affiliated with Florida Virtual School, the longtime state-run online education program.
"Our intent is to move forward with the recommendations and come to some kind of closure process, either voluntary or otherwise," Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie said.
And indeed, the schools in both counties may close voluntarily, said Philip Morgaman, president and CEO of the South Florida Charter School Board.
"Voluntary dissolution is a viable alternative, and it's certainly one of the alternatives our board will consider, and it may very well be the most likely," he said.
Morgaman said he wants to receive the Palm Beach County audit before holding a special board meeting. He said that would likely happen at the end of the school year, so students wouldn't be displaced mid-term.
The Broward audit found numerous academic deficiencies at the school. It said the school failed to provide evidence that students were receiving the required instructional time for reading, failed to provide a "clear and comprehensive grading system," and failed to show it was following state law in regard to serving students with disabilities and limited English skills. The state is also penalizing the school by $200,000 because too many students failed their end-of-course exams.
Both schools received grades of D in 2013-14. The state hasn't released grades for the Virtual charter schools in Broward, Palm Beach could close following audits - Sun Sentinel:
