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Lupine Community Montessori reports enrollment growth, performance gains and financial strain to district board
Summary
Lupine Community Montessori Charter School told the board it expects about 332 students next year, reported a 40% reading improvement for students in poverty and flagged a negative ending fund balance and recent layoffs tied to building acquisitions.
Courtney McWilliams, executive director of Lupine Community Montessori Charter School, presented the charter's annual report on April 2 and described enrollment growth, instructional gains and financial pressures.
McWilliams said LCMCS is forecasting about 332 students for the coming year, an increase of roughly 20 students from the prior year, and that about 22% of current students are on 504 plans or Individualized Education Programs. She said the school had seen "their reading for students in poverty increasing 40%," and credited the district-sponsored early literacy grant and small-group instruction as drivers of gains.
Board members pressed McWilliams on outstanding audit timing and recent budget impacts. The district noted that a negative ending fund balance on a formal audit would amount to insolvency; McWilliams acknowledged the purchase of two buildings drained reserves and said the school made some layoffs of hourly auxiliary staff and suspended a food program because of staffing and low participation.
Superintendent Klinger and the district finance director said they would consult legal counsel about the district's obligations and any potential liability related to charter insolvency as the board considers future contract negotiations.
