In exclusive comments to Tallahassee Reports, Leon County School Board member Dee Dee Rasmussen explained her recent vote against the denial of the Red Hills Academy charter school application.
After extensive deliberation at the April 27th meeting, the Board voted against the review team recommendation for approval and sided with Superintendent Hanna’s recommendation to deny the application.
The vote was 3-2.
LCSB members Alva Striplin, Daryl Jones & Rosanne Wood voted for denial and members Joy Bowen and Dee Dee Rasmussen voted against denial.
Board member Rasmussen provide the following statement to Tallahassee Reports:
“I voted against the denial because the Superintendent put the Board in a very untenable position. First, the LCS Committee voted to approve the school, with conditions. Those conditions were never presented to the applicant and the District has failed to work with the them toward a favorable resolution. Then, the item was late filed with the Superintendent’s recommendation to deny. But, what we voted on last night — with about a 2-hour notice — I’m not sure it’s defensible on appeal, and the law is pretty clear and narrow. Like it or not, it appears Charter Schools are here to stay so we should work with them for the sake of the children and the families who choose this option.”
The board will lose on appeal. I wonder if the Democrat will carry the story then.
For Superintendent Hanna to do what he did and to go against the review team recommendation for approval tells me that he didn't want it from day one and NOW, I would like to know if he is involved with another Charter School either for being a part owner of one or a major investor and not wanting the competition.
What Board Member Rasmussen describes is misfeasance at best, and intentional malfeasance at worst. The only other possible consideration is that the Superintendent and staff are utterly incompetent and/or fully corrupt. In either case, it is clear that there will be zero accountability for these apparent egregious acts... and that is - and continues to be - the real problem here.
As for this comment... “Like it or not, it appears Charter Schools are here to stay so we should work with them for the sake of the children and the families who choose this option.”... A very weak and disingenuous statement to say the least. Ms. Rasmussen appears to be tiptoeing atop fence line on this. Alternatives to the failed and harmful Public Indoctrination System are a must if we are to protect our children and our future.
Dee Dee Rasmussen for School Superintendent!