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Staff recommend denying amended charter applications from Nova Smart Academy and Rocketship Tennessee
Summary
District staff told the school board that amended applications from two proposed charter schools — Nova Smart Academy and Rocketship Tennessee — still fall short of state and district standards, and recommended denial. The board must vote by resolution at its next meeting; denials may be appealed to the state Public Charter School Commission.
Rutherford County Schools staff recommended the board deny amended charter applications from Nova Smart Academy and Rocketship Tennessee after a detailed review found deficiencies in academic plans, operations and finances.
The recommendation came during a 2025 work session when Dr. Jeff McCann, presenting the Charter Review Committee report, said the committee scored each amended application against Tennessee Department of Education guidance and concluded both failed to meet required standards.
The recommendation matters because the board must vote by resolution at its upcoming regular meeting; if the board denies either application, each applicant has 10 days to appeal to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission. If approved, the district would negotiate a 10-year charter agreement and become the local authorizer.
Nova Smart Academy: The…
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