Board denies renewal petitions for two charters after hearings and community testimony

The Los Angeles Unified School District board on Feb. 17 denied renewal petitions for two charter schools after public hearings that featured parents, educators and school leaders defending their programs.

Teach Preparatory petitioners argued the school had improved since earlier low‑performing classifications and that newly released state metrics elevated it to the middle tier — which the school said created a perverse outcome where improvement could trigger a different, stricter renewal standard. "Teach Prep now faces nonrenewal, not for academic decline, but because of academic improvement," said Matt Brown, executive director of Teach Inc., representing Teach Preparatory.

Charter division staff replied the law prescribes distinct standards for low‑ versus middle‑performing classifications; staff recommended denial after applying the middle‑performing criteria and answering board questions about timeline and notification. The board voted to deny the Teach Preparatory petition. Supporters raised concerns about transition planning and transportation for families should closure occur.

For California Creative Learning Academy, the charter's leaders and many parents stressed the school's arts‑integrated, constructivist model and a student population with a higher proportion of students with disabilities. "We are very high in our special education percentage... This year we're 27%," said Dr. Linda Lee, the school's executive director and principal, noting recent growth in some academic indicators.

Charter division staff countered the school had three consecutive years in the low‑performing category, declining enrollment and financial viability questions (including a late employee retention credit that temporarily improved cash flows). The staff report said the school's submitted improvement plan lacked specificity about chronic absenteeism, capacity to implement and measurable methods for monitoring. After board discussion and public testimony from parents and alumni, the petition was denied (five yes votes; two abstentions).

Both petitioners were told they could appeal to the Los Angeles County Office of Education or to the state. Board members asked staff to explore options such as affiliated status or longer transitional terms in cases where schools show promising but incomplete progress.

The denials drew strong responses from families and staff who argued the state accountability timing and data rules can create counterintuitive outcomes for schools that are improving but move between statutory categories.