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Board denies two charter applications after review that found academic, operations and financial weaknesses
Summary
A district review team recommended denial for Little Kings and Queens Charter Academy and Tennessee Wildflower Public School; the board voted to deny both applications and outlined the appeals and resubmission process required by state rule.
The Hamilton County Board of Education voted to deny two charter-school applications after a district review committee concluded both proposals failed to meet state standards for academics, operations and finance.
The review team, led by Charter Coordinator Bennie Moore, recommended denial for Little Kings and Queens Charter Academy (proposed K–3, capacity 43) and Tennessee Wildflower Public School (proposed pre-K–5, capacity about 140). Moore summarized the committee’s findings during the board meeting, saying the applications “did not meet the rigorous standards set forth in Tennessee law in all areas.”
Why it matters: Denial places the applicants on a state‑mandated path for resubmission and potential state review. Under the state rule Moore recited, the district must provide written notice of specific objective reasons for denial within 10 calendar days; applicants have a window to amend and refile and the board must then act within 60 days — otherwise the amended application is automatically approved.
Committee findings - Little Kings and Queens Charter Academy: The committee concluded the application lacked a compelling academic plan, measurable goals and sufficient plans for special populations. The operational plan did not demonstrate board or leadership capacity; proposed salaries were below statutory minima for future years; and financial assumptions were incomplete or unrealistic. The committee said the proposed relationship with a private for‑profit child‑development center raised legal and operational concerns. - Tennessee Wildflower Public School: Reviewers found the academic plan broad and lacking measurable standards, with unclear strategies for mixed‑age classrooms and special populations. Operations were judged insufficient to demonstrate board capacity and CMO roles were not clearly defined; the financial plan lacked contingency if voluntary pre‑K funding was not secured. The review team also did not receive audited financials for the proposed CMO, the Wildflower Foundation, and expressed concern about fiscal health.
Board action and process - After the presentations and a brief trustee discussion, a motion to deny each application was offered and seconded. The board conducted separate roll-call votes and the denials were approved. - Moore said a written denial letter specifying objective deficiencies will be issued next week. Applicants may submit amended applications within the timeframes required by state rule; if the board again denies an amended submission, the applicants may appeal to the state charter commission.
What trustees asked and noted - Trustees asked whether deficiencies would be shared with applicants; Moore confirmed the team will provide specific, written feedback so applicants can decide whether to amend and resubmit. - Trustees questioned location suitability and community engagement; one trustee said a proposed site in her district ‘‘was not appropriate’’ and said the review team visited facilities as part of its evaluation.
Ending: Both denials were approved by roll-call votes following the review team’s recommendation. The board’s written notices will outline the remediation steps available to each applicant under state procedures.
