Alachua school board votes to terminate Constellation Charter School contract, effective May 1

The School Board of Alachua County voted 5-0 Friday to terminate its contract with Constellation Charter School of Gainesville effective at the close of school on May 1, 2025.

Board staff and safety officials told the board the district had documented a pattern of safety and leadership failures at Constellation Charter that, staff said, created an immediate danger to students. "Constellation Charter School has experienced a pattern of serious safety and leadership failures that have compromised the well-being of students and staff," Chief Pelton said during a staff presentation.

The board convened the emergency meeting after the chair and the superintendent called it on April 29, 2025. District staff told the board they had met the emergency-notice requirements in board policy 165.3 and Florida Statute 1002.33(8)(c), including radio announcements on April 30, postings on the district website and approved social media platforms, a notice on the administration office front door, and an online notice in the Main Street Daily News.

At the meeting, staff described four findings the board was asked to adopt by clear and convincing evidence: that Constellation Charter committed material violations of law; that an immediate and serious danger to student health, safety and welfare existed; that the danger was likely to continue; and that immediate termination of the charter was necessary. To protect confidential student information and comply with federal law, staff limited public discussion of specific incidents and cited FERPA as a reason for withholding detailed facts.

After staff and Chief Pelton summarized the district's concerns, board member Vu moved to adopt the findings and the superintendent's recommendation to terminate the charter. Dr. McNeely seconded the motion, and a procedural clarification was made on the record that the findings must be by "clear and convincing evidence." The board took no public comments; staff said no callers or in-person speakers had signed up.

The board conducted a roll-call vote because two members participated by videoconference. Mr. Vu, Miss Plavec, Dr. McNeely, Ms. Surdon and another board member voted in favor. The motion carried 5-0.

The board did not discuss post-termination logistics at length in public because staff said many supporting documents contained confidential student information; the superintendent's recommendation directed the termination to take effect at the close of school on May 1, 2025. The board packet included backup material the district described as sensitive and provided to members in advance.

The meeting record shows the district relied on emergency meeting procedures in board policy 165.3 and Florida law to act quickly; staff emphasized the action was taken because of immediate safety concerns and legal noncompliance. The board did not vote on any follow-up assignments, public timelines for appeals, or staff reports during the portion of the meeting open to the public.

The emergency meeting lasted briefly after the vote and then adjourned. The district said it would limit public description of specifics to protect confidential student information and to comply with state and federal privacy laws.