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Chief business officer asks board to extend Liberty Charter lease; board rejects Literacy First offer in closed session
Summary
Steve Robinson, chief business officer for Liberty Charter High School, asked the Lemon Grove School District board for a short lease extension to remain at the Palm Street site. The board reported returning from closed session and voting 5-0 to reject an offer from Literacy First Charter Schools for a proposed new two-year lease.
Steve Robinson, identified in the public comment period as chief business officer for Liberty Charter High School, asked the Lemon Grove School District Governing Board on Nov. 16, 2021, for a short extension of the charter school's lease at the district-owned Palm Street site while the school searches for a permanent site in El Cajon. "Please keep this successful program in Lemon Grove," Robinson said, noting the school has provided community service and extracurricular programs and that "over 80% of our graduating classes have gone to college, career training programs, or the military."
Robinson told the board Liberty Charter runs a small, comprehensive high school program and described services including special education, internships, student government, robotics, drama and travel opportunities; he said the school has averaged graduation rates above 90% in recent years and that "we will do everything we can to work with the district so we can remain at Palm Street until our new site in El Cajon is built."
The board adjourned to closed session at 5:10 p.m. under Government Code sections 54957 and 54956.8 for personnel matters and a conference with a real property negotiator. After returning from closed session at 6:23 p.m., the board reported that action had been taken: "Action was taken, with 5-0 vote, in closed session to reject the offer presented by Literacy First Charter Schools for a new two-year term with an option for a third and a yearly rent increase from 2.5% to 7.5% per year extension." The report states the district needs the site to serve Lemon Grove transitional kindergarten and preschool students.
The board did not provide additional public detail about negotiations during the open meeting. The public record in the minutes shows the board’s unanimous vote in closed session to reject Literacy First’s proposal; the board also noted the district’s stated need to retain the site for TK and preschool programs. The meeting's next procedural steps include regular follow-up and the board’s annual organizational meeting set for Dec. 14, 2021.
