Tennessee Public Charter School Commission approves three 10‑year renewals, moves Bluff City to Tier 2 and adopts policy updates

The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission met Jan. 24, 2025, in Memphis and approved multiple authorizer actions, including three 10‑year charter renewals, an addendum to allow KIPP Antioch Global Elementary to open in a temporary facility, and a one‑year delay for American Classical Academy Jackson‑Madison. The commission also voted to move Bluff City High School from Tier 3 probation to Tier 2 intervention and approved a package of policy and rule updates.

Why it matters: approved 10‑year renewals extend operating authority and, in some cases, begin facilities negotiations with local districts; the tiering change for Bluff City alters the school’s oversight status ahead of its 2026 renewal; the policy updates and charter agreements set terms and expectations the commission will use for oversight.

Votes at a glance (motions, roll calls and outcomes) - Approve addendum request: KIPP Antioch Global Elementary School — Motion made and seconded; roll call recorded as 6 ayes; outcome: approved. (Transcript roll call began at ~00:36:40 / s=2206.4248–2223.6199.) - Approve petition to delay one academic year: American Classical Academy Jackson‑Madison — Motion made and seconded; roll call recorded as 5 ayes, 1 no (one recorded “No” in the roll call); outcome: approved. (Roll call at ~00:37:44 / s=2244.025–2266.505.) - Move Bluff City High School from Tier 3 to Tier 2 intervention — Motion made and seconded; roll call recorded as 6 ayes; outcome: approved. (Discussion and vote spanned ~00:38:00–01:12:00; final roll call at s=4341.625–4354.2.) - Renewals (each approved by recorded roll call): Cornerstone Prep Denver — approved (6 ayes); Lee Neely’s Bend — approved (6 ayes); Libertas School of Memphis — approved (6 ayes). Each renewal authorizes a new 10‑year charter term and, where noted in staff recommendations, begins or continues facilities…