Pomona Unified denies Rhodes Academy charter petition after staff finds operational, special-education and facilities gaps

Deputy Superintendent Lilia Fuentes presented a staff recommendation and detailed findings that led the Pomona Unified School District board to deny the charter petition from Rhodes Academy School of Business and Financial Literacy on Feb. 11.

Fuentes told the board staff reviewed all required petition elements under Education Code section 47605 and found multiple deficiencies: the petition relied on unspecified artificial-intelligence tools that were not identified or operationalized, leadership lacked demonstrated experience operating a public charter school, required teacher signatures were not verifiably included, the petition failed to identify or describe secured facilities, and special-education (section 504/IDEA) responsibilities were unclear. "Without the specific [AI] staff cannot assess how the education program will benefit from the AI tools," Fuentes said, summarizing staff concerns about instructional quality and day‑one readiness.

Dr. Angelica Merrill, founder and executive director of Rhodes Academy, responded during the public hearing and rebuttal period. Merrill said the 297‑page petition met the statutory standard and provided curriculum, governance and fiscal descriptions; she said the petition included credentialed teacher signatures and over 250 family signatures from Pomona. "We welcome oversight, monitoring and conditions of approval," Merrill said, arguing that operational details flagged by staff could be addressed under authorizer oversight.

Board members debated the staff findings and the petitioner's responses before moving to a vote. After the motion to deny was made and seconded, the board recorded a roll-call vote of 5–0 to deny Resolution No. 21202526, the district's staff‑recommended denial of Rhodes Academy's petition.

That formal vote concludes the district's current review. Fuentes told the board the staff report was intentionally comprehensive to help the petitioner understand what would be required for a future, approvable submission; she said many of the identified shortcomings could be addressed through additional planning and evidence of operational capacity.

The petitioner said it would continue to seek options for serving Pomona students and expressed disappointment that the board did not conditionally approve the petition. The board did not adopt any conditions but recorded the staff rationale and the petitioner’s rebuttal in the hearing record.

What happens next: Federal and state timelines allow petitioners to pursue a charter appeal or to revise and resubmit; Rhodes Academy indicated it will remain engaged with the community and consider next steps. The district did not announce any immediate follow-up beyond recording the decision on the public record.