Board signals support for assigning Best Academy charter to YouThrive Florida with five‑year initial term

Representatives for Best Academy and YouThrive Florida told the Hernando County School Board on July 29 that they seek the board’s approval to assign Best Academy’s charter to Mid Florida Community Service, d/b/a YouThrive Florida (referred to in materials as Youth Thrive/YouThrive). The presenters said the move is intended to expand educational services while retaining the school identity.

Jared Prater of Hogan Law Firm introduced representatives from the acquiring organization and existing Best Academy leadership. He said the proposed assignment is intended to align with Florida law favoring parental choice and to leverage YouThrive Florida’s local service footprint. Presenters noted Best Academy recently earned an A+ school rating and that the school’s facility is owned by YouThrive Florida.

Several board members, led by Mr. Johnson, proposed limiting the initial term of the assignment to five years rather than approving an immediate 15‑year term. Board counsel and district staff explained that state statute allows a 15‑year renewal for charter schools with an A or B rating, but the assignment raises a question of precedent because a new nonprofit would be taking over an existing charter school. Counsel and the presenters said a five‑year initial term would allow the new ownership to file required materials with the Florida Department of Education and provide the district time to monitor performance before granting a longer term.

Staff counsel Caroline Moakler told the board that the school’s name will remain Best Academy and that section 3.2 of the assignment document had been revised to reflect that and the term change. YouThrive Florida representatives described their local human‑services work dating to 1968 and said they already provide early‑learning and other programs in Hernando and neighboring counties; they said they operate some education programs in the region and have administrative capacity.

Board members indicated they were comfortable advancing the assignment to the board meeting with the term changed to five years and with the revised assignment language. Presenters said they expect the district to present an amended assignment document and the board will vote on approval at an upcoming board meeting; no formal roll‑call vote was taken at the workshop.

The board asked that the district confirm the application and renewal process with the Florida Department of Education and that district counsel receive all documentation. Several members emphasized the district’s continuing oversight through annual reviews and recent statutory changes that strengthen monitoring of charter operators.

If approved by the board, the assignment would preserve the Best Academy name while changing the governing nonprofit and would require filing and oversight consistent with Florida charter school rules. The exact effective date will be set when the board takes formal action and any state filings are completed.