The Mid-Del Public Schools Board of Education voted to accept staff’s recommendation to not approve the charter school application submitted by Vanguard Academy during a regular board meeting.

District reviewers told the board their assessment, using the state charter-school rubric, found consistent planning on mission and goals but important gaps in budget certainty, staffing and governance. Reviewers also said they saw inadequate planning for serving students with special needs.

Why it matters: If a local district declines to sponsor a charter application, state law allows the applicant to pursue local resubmission or to seek sponsorship from the Oklahoma Public Charter School Board. Board members noted there is no financial benefit to the district for sponsorship and that the district would have limited control over an independent charter operator.

Discussion: Trustees pressed on the application’s major weaknesses. One reviewer said the submission lacked a clear budget and finance plan, needed more work on employee recruitment and governance, and did not provide a robust plan for special-education services.

Vote: The motion to accept the recommendation to not approve the application passed. Recorded votes in the meeting excerpt: Dr. Ed Kirk — abstain; Dr. Ed Daniel — aye; Johnna Grant — aye; Julie Schultz — aye; President Standridge — aye. A board member identified as Roger recused himself from that item. The board clerk clarified that a “yes” vote meant accepting the staff recommendation to not approve the application.

Outcome and next steps: The district will provide the applicants with evaluative comments and suggested improvements; the applicants may revise and resubmit to the district or seek a state sponsor under existing law. The board indicated it will provide written feedback based on the reviewer’s rubric and markup.

Ending: Board members emphasized the district’s interest in applicants’ path to successful operations but said the current submission lacked the clarity necessary for local sponsorship.