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State board begins formal review of BASIS charter after enrollment falls to about 35%
Summary
At its Dec. 11 meeting the Delaware State Board of Education assented to the Department of Education’s recommendation to open a formal review of BASIS Charter after enrollment fell to about 123 students (roughly 35% of its authorized capacity). The board also approved two five-year charter renewals.
The Delaware State Board of Education on Dec. 11 voted to assent to the Department of Education’s recommendation to place BASIS Charter under formal review after the department reported the school’s enrollment had dropped to about 123 students, approximately 35% of its authorized capacity.
Leroy Travers, director of the charter school office, told the board the low enrollment raised concerns about the school’s long-term financial viability and ability to meet its charter obligations. “The school is currently enrolled in a 123 students. That's approximately 35% of its authorized enrollment, which raises concerns about its long term financial viability,” Travers said.
Why it matters: a formal review is one of the department’s oversight tools for authorizers and can lead to a range of outcomes. Travers and staff told the board the Charter School Accountability Committee (CSAC) will examine the school’s financial records, ask for an action plan if warranted, and recommend one of three outcomes: take no action, impose conditions that could lead to probation, or recommend school closure. The department cited Delaware Code section 14-5-11(c) when requesting the review.
Board action and next steps: the board assented to the secretary’s decision to begin the formal review; the secretary will present CSAC’s recommended option to the board at the March meeting. Travers said DOE will provide the school with official notice and begin working on a review calendar and that board staff will identify a member to serve on the review committee.
Related charter renewals: the board also voted to assent to the secretary’s decisions on two charter renewals at the same meeting. Cindy Martin presented the renewal for Campus Community School for five years; she said the renewal includes one condition that the school meet standards in all curricular areas before the current charter expires on 2026-06-30. The board approved Providence Creek Academy’s five-year renewal without conditions.
What the board did not do: the board did not adopt any immediate sanctions at Tuesday’s meeting; members were told CSAC’s work during formal review could produce recommended conditions or other remedies for the board to consider in March.
The board recorded verbal aye votes and the president declared the motions carried. The Department of Education will notify the school and begin the CSAC review process.
