MNPS board denies four NewStart charter applications, citing planning and fiscal concerns

The Metro Nashville Public Schools board on Monday night voted unanimously to deny four NewStart charter applications after the MNPS charter office presented reviewer findings that flagged gaps or weaknesses in each proposal.

Director of the MNPS charter schools office Dr. Roby Grant explained that the district received four NewStart applications this cycle and that reviewers scored each application using the Tennessee State Board of Educations uniform rubric.

For the Nashville School of Excellence, reviewers rated the educational program and budget sections as "partially meets standard," noting discrepancies between the proposed program and facility budget and a lack of demonstrated local community input. Member O'Hara Block moved to deny the application, and Member Young seconded; the motion to deny passed by a 9to0 roll call/voice tally.

Empowerment Academy received ratings of "does not meet standard" in multiple sections, including educational design and operations, with reviewers pointing to a lack of coherent model, incomplete governance structures and an unsustainable start-up budget. The board voted 9to0 to deny that application after Member Block moved for denial.

The Gates School was assessed as "partially meets standard" across applicable sections. The review team raised concerns about demonstrated demand in the proposed area of West Davidson County, recruitment strategies for diverse learners, and misaligned staffing and facility budget assumptions. After a lengthy discussion among board members about charter growth, competition for seats and fiscal impact on the district, Member Elrod moved to deny and Member Tyler seconded; the motion passed 9to0.

Music City Academy, a proposed grades 912 athletic-centered high school, received a mixed review (partially meets in education and operations; meets in budget/finance). Reviewers questioned whether the mission and facilities aligned with TSSAA expectations and whether the application used accurate data to justify need (reviewers identified underreported MNPS state championships in the application). The board discussed the application at length, including concerns about whether MNPS already provides comparable athletics and career-pathway opportunities; Member Elrod moved to deny and the motion passed 9to0.

Public commenters at the start of the meeting urged approval of some of the applications. Burris Cox, a cofounder of The Gates School, described his experience as a Nashville teacher and urged the board to approve the Gates School application. Kevin Dyson, founder of Music City Academy, and Russell McBride, chair of that board, both asked the board to approve Music City Academy and highlighted athletics as an engagement strategy tied to career and CTE pathways. Several other community speakers voiced support for expanding local school options.

Board members who voted to deny the applications cited two recurring concerns: gaps in evidence or inconsistencies in the applications themselves, and broader fiscal or system-level questions about approving new schools when district enrollment and local funding pressures remain a challenge. Member O'Hara Block said the board lacks a shared strategic plan for charter growth and expressed concern about adding seats without a citywide plan. Member Elrod similarly said a new school must show overwhelming evidence of need and alignment with MNPS strategic priorities to justify priority funding.

Under state law and board guidelines, denied applicants have 30 days to submit amended applications addressing the deficiencies called out in the evidence reports; MNPS will have 60 days to reconsider any amended submissions.