Motion to extend Academy of Hope Charter School closing date denied

At a special-call meeting on Aug. 26, the chair moved to accept superintendent Jones's recommendation to extend the closing date for the Academy of Hope Charter School's purchase of the former Conway Education Center on Sherwood Drive through Sept. 11, 2026. The recommendation noted the charter school's inspection period had expired on Aug. 24, 2026.

A staff member told the board that on June 8, 2026 the board had approved the purchase request by the Academy of Hope Charter School for the declared surplus property at a purchase price of $1,650,650, and that the Academy had requested an extension of the closing date. The staff member said the buyer requested the closing date be extended through "September the 11th 2026." The chair then moved to accept the superintendent's recommendation and the motion was seconded.

The board used the voting machine for the motion. After the count, the chair said, "Looks like that motion's been denied." The transcript does not record individual vote tallies or the names of members casting each vote. The motion therefore failed and the requested extension was not approved at this meeting.

The transcript does not specify additional reasons for the denial or whether a new motion to grant an extension will be scheduled. The item was presented as a recommendation from superintendent Jones; the staff member who read the recommendation did not give a name in the transcript beyond the recommendation text.