Sharika Roby Grant urges denial of four charter schools' amended applications in Nashville

The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission held a Special Called Meeting on August 27, 2025, to discuss critical matters regarding charter school applications. The meeting featured a significant address from Sharika Roby Grant, the executive director of charter schools for Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS).

Roby Grant urged the commission to uphold MNPS's decision to deny the amended application for four new charter schools. She emphasized that the academic plans presented by the schools lacked innovation and did not sufficiently differentiate themselves from existing career and technical education programs offered by MNPS. Furthermore, she pointed out that the application failed to demonstrate adequate community and parental support.

Operational concerns were also raised, particularly regarding the leadership of the proposed schools. Roby Grant noted that the leadership team lacked essential project management experience, which could hinder the schools' effectiveness. Additionally, she criticized the transportation plan as unrealistic, given the geographic area intended to serve the student population.

Financial viability was another critical point of discussion. Roby Grant highlighted the absence of qualified fiscal oversight during the formative years of the proposed schools, raising serious doubts about their potential to maintain financial stability.

The meeting concluded with a clear recommendation from MNPS to deny the application, reflecting the concerns raised by Roby Grant. The commission's decision will have significant implications for the future of these proposed charter schools and their ability to operate within the Nashville area.