Chavez Huerta Preparatory Academy faces closure after District 60 denies charter renewal; city council members say they will advocate

Chavez Huerta K–12 Preparatory Academy told Pueblo City Council on June 9 that Pueblo School District 60 will not renew the school's charter and that a state review body upheld the district's decision.

Executive Director Fred Segura told the council the district’s decision cited a material breach tied to financial reporting (section 7.12 of the charter contract) and "failure to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management." Segura said the lapses were linked to turnover of staff with institutional financial knowledge and past leadership choices, and that the school has since installed new internal controls, engaged an outside accounting firm and is projecting a $400,000 surplus for the fiscal year with a 1.1 debt ratio.

Segura said the academy appealed the nonrenewal to the state, which voted 7–1 to uphold District 60's decision, and that the district then began steps to dissolve the school’s operation. He said the district offered no reconsideration or release from its exclusive chartering authority and declined to meet on alternatives the school proposed.

Tommy Lynn Cruz, a junior who described participation in the school's pathways-to-teaching and early-college programs, urged council members to press District 60 for either reconsideration or release from exclusive chartering authority so the school or another authorizer could continue its programs. Cruz said many students from the school take college classes and career certificates and that losing the school would be devastating for families and for specific programs only offered at Chavez Huerta.

Council members expressed differing views about the city's role. Several councilors, including Councilman Flores and Councilman Maestri, said they lack formal authority over the district but pledged to advocate with District 60 board members and urged the district to provide more time for the academy to present recent corrective actions. Council members suggested sending letters and arranging meetings with the district. Councilors also discussed hosting a work session to invite District 60 officials to explain the board’s decision and to hear the academy's evidence.

Segura and other speakers said that, if the district stands by its decision and does not release the academy from exclusive authority, Chavez Huerta could cease operations July 1. Council members said the closing could jeopardize related community services, including grants that follow students and partnerships with the Boys & Girls Club, and increase building vacancy and blight on the city's West Side.

No formal council action or vote was recorded during the meeting. Council members said they would pursue advocacy, including phone calls and letters to District 60 board members and a request for a work session where the school and the district could present their positions.