NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The School Performance and Accountability Committee of the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission voted Nov. 18 to forward four charter amendment petitions to a special-called full commission meeting on Dec. 2 for further consideration.

Beth Figueroa, the commission’s director of authorizing, recommended that the committee move each petition to the full commission after staff reviews of facilities, enrollment plans and financing. "Based on the complete review of the amendment, it is recommended that the School Performance and Accountability move this amendment to the full commission for consideration," Figueroa said during the meeting.

Empower Memphis Career and College Prep requested permission to change its proposed opening location outside its initially approved geographic area. Figueroa said the operator delayed opening because of facility challenges, identified a co-located temporary site near the originally targeted recruitment area that would accommodate up to 500 students, and presented updated five-year financial projections showing positive annual cash flow. Commissioner Chris Richards asked staff to confirm the prior occupant had vacated the building; Figueroa said the operator confirmed the space is fully vacated. The committee approved forwarding the petition by roll call (ayes recorded during the vote).

Invictus Nashville asked to add second grade in its opening year so it can implement mixed-age classrooms and meet demonstrated family demand. Figueroa said Invictus is in late-stage negotiations on a prospective site and expects a letter of intent and lease to be completed by the end of the year; she also cautioned the committee that some of the five-year financial projections rely on higher-than-typical gift or contribution assumptions, and noted the operator provided contingency plans if revenues fall short. Commissioner Tom Griska asked whether allowing location or grade changes could set a precedent for future petitions and how confident staff were that the site would be secured; Figueroa said staff monitor operators monthly and that Invictus has backup facility options, and therefore recommended sending the amendment to the full commission. The committee forwarded the petition by roll call.

Rocketship Dream Community Prep proposed a three-part amendment: moving governance from the national Rocketship board to a local Rocketship Education Tennessee board (enabled by the Tennessee board’s tax-exempt status), adding fifth grade to align with local elementary models, and increasing maximum enrollment from 560 to 630. Figueroa noted the school’s strong academic results and said the CMO services would continue; she recommended the committee forward the amendment. Commissioners expressed support for the school’s performance. The committee voted to transmit the petition to the full commission.

Rocketship Nashville Northeast Elementary (referred to in materials as Rennie) sought a similar governance transfer to the local Tennessee board effective July 1, 2025; Figueroa said the school serves about 470 students and will continue to receive academic, operational and financial supports from its CMO. The committee approved forwarding that petition to the full commission as well.

All four petitions were approved for transmission to the full commission by roll-call votes at the Nov. 18 committee meeting. Chair Terrence Patterson said the full commission will consider the four petitions at a Dec. 2 special-called meeting; the next School Performance and Accountability Committee meeting is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2025.

Actions taken by the committee were procedural referrals to the full commission; no final charter approvals or governance transfers were adopted at the Nov. 18 committee meeting.