Lead Charter Academy of Alabama Gulen School hits snag with AEA lawsuit

An Alabama Education Association lawsuit filed Monday alleges that the state charter commission’s approval of Montgomery’s first-approved charter school is “invalid” or “arbitrary.”

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The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) recommended LEAD Academy be denied ahead of the state commission’s vote, because “the applicants failed to present a clear and comprehensive education program plan” and because a proposed loan from American Charter Development to cover costs of a new building raised financial concerns.

“This charter school is simply not a good charter school, “ AEA associate executive director Theron Stokes said. “An objective outside agency looked at it and said it doesn’t meet the standards that are necessary for it to be a charter school.”

The AEA sought an injunction to prevent public funds or lands from being exchanged with LEAD Academy. The school does not have a building yet, and the AEA said it has “information and belief” that LEAD Academy chairperson Charlotte Meadows has been discussing purchasing one of the three schools selected for closure by interim state superintendent Ed Richardson.

Meadows confirmed to the Montgomery Advertiser on Tuesday that LEAD had inquired about Dozier Elementary School. 

The terms reached allow LEAD Academy to recruit staff and advertise to students as it prepares to open for the fall semester. However, LEAD is prevented from offering contracts to staff and and enrolling students. 

The terms also prevent LEAD from acquiring any public funds or land between now and April 30. That includes any Montgomery Public Schools Properties and prevents LEAD Academy from receiving any funds from local governments. Meadows asked the Montgomery City Council for financial contributions Tuesday night. 

Meadows told the Advertiser on Tuesday that there was a possibility of LEAD not being able to open in the fall if a building is not secured quickly. At Montgomery County Courthouse on Wednesday, Meadows sounded more confident.

“There’s no way the name Charlotte Meadows will be associated with anything but an excellent charter school,” Meadows said. “That’s what we will provide and we expect to have the school starting in August 2018.”

More: LEAD Academy becomes first charter school approved for Montgomery

The contract has yet to be finalized between LEAD Academy and the state committee, which acts as the authorizer holding LEAD Academy accountable to benchmarks established in the contract.

The contract must be completed within 60 days of the approval date. LEAD Academy planned to open this fall and offer K-5 curriculum to 360 students. 

The state commission is the authorizer for LEAD Academy because the Montgomery County Board of Education (MCBOE) did not become an authorizer until January, the month after LEAD applied to the state. 

Charter schools that will be approved by the MCBOE — or interim state superintendent Ed Richardson as head of an intervention school district — have until March 16 to apply. 

Originally Published 4:26 pm CST March 7, 2018

Updated 6:40 pm CST March 7, 2018

Creation of Montgomery's first charter school hits snag

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MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -

A snag has developed in the plan to set up Montgomery's first charter school.

Monday, officials with Lead Academy confirmed they will not be purchasing the building that currently houses the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce's small business incubator, located at 600 South Court Street.

School leaders said the proposed deal with the Chamber of Commerce fell through but did not provide any details about the situation.

Leads Academy officials say the search is now on for a 'Plan B' to find another location. 

The goal is to begin classes this fall, but delays in securing a location could delay that start.

WSFA 12 News has been unable to reach chamber leaders for their reaction.

The Alabama Public Charter School Commission approved the city's first charter school start-up in a 5 to 1 vote on Feb. 12.