The decision by the Leon County School Board, in April 2021, to deny the application for the Red Hills Academy was overturned today by the Charter School Appeal Commission.
The panel recommended the approval of the new charter school, stating there was no “substantial competent evidence” for the denial made by the Leon County School Board (LCSB). The application was originally voted down in a 3-2 vote by the LCSB due to concerns regarding the school’s budget and safety.
The school’s application raised discussion regarding charter schools draining resources from the traditional public education system. Though charter schools are considered public schools they are run by nonprofit boards and they have the autonomy to mostly govern themselves, not having to comply with district policies. Red Hills Academy, if approved, will be Leon County’s sixth charter school.
Going forward, the application by Red Hills Academy will go to the Florida Board of Education for consideration. If the school is approved, the Red Hills Academy plans to opening their doors in August 2022, says Laura Joanos, the chair of the Red Hills Academy Board.
Joanos, stated during an interview, “It’s going to be a small school, it’s going to be a very nurturing, family-oriented school, and we’re very excited about it!”
She commented that the school will be offering “great curriculum for the kids in Leon County.” The curriculum will include a second language which will be taught daily.
Leon School Board Denial of Charter School Overturned by Commission added by Lynsey Kirk on
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I’ve been expecting someone to try to block the charter schools.
Hope, thank you for the information. I will write it down to remember who voted for what, but I’m thinking maybe voting for new faces across the board.
If they would just give the tax money they collect for education directly to parents as education vouchers, we wouldn’t even need a Leon County School Board. (Maybe, that’s why they vote against any kind of school choice?)
@ …Ed
I have no problem stating “corrupt intent” and therefore regarding another issue… the upcoming special board meeting that Rocky Hanna has called merits no validity.
He is acting as a pawn for his political party and is not qualified to make medical decisions. He is practicing medicine without a license.
We have a state professional who is qualified and authorized to make mandate decisions. Rocky Hanna is neither.
~ The panel recommended the approval of the new charter school, stating there was no “substantial competent evidence” for the denial made by the Leon County School Board (LCSB).
So… to summarize… the Leon County Public Indoctrination System Board is/was either “incompetent” or acted with corrupt intent.
Dee Dee R., Joy Bowen voted FOR approval of the application… Rose Anne Wood, Darryl Jones, and Alva Striplin voted against.
So the majority of the Leon County School Board cannot distinguish between “substantial competent evidence” and pure political hackery. There is no way on gods green earth I would let those idiots have anything to do with educating my child. They can’t even competently get them to the school…
Nice to have some good news.
“The application was originally voted down in a 3-2 vote…” I would like to know who were the three that voted against the school.
“… charter schools draining resources from the traditional public education system.” I think the presumption/default that all taxes collected for education belong to the traditional public education system should change. The taxes collected for education should be given to parents in the form of school vouchers to fund the schools they choose to send their children to including homeschooling programs.
The traditional public education system can compete like everyone else for those dollars.
Hmm…. let me guess who the three were who (illegally) voted it down…
Shouldn’t this warrant removal from the Board for gross misconduct for the ones who voted it down the first time? Why do we tolerate this?
The socialists that comprise the Leon County School Board and Superintendent Rocky Hanna want the tax payers money to continuing funding failed schools and activist agendas.