Article: Cincinnati charter school closed

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Article published December 1, 2005

Sponsors in Lucas County blame chronic problems

"The academy could not pay its staff, failed to hire certified staff, allowed prayer in school, and lacked a written curriculum."

By Ignazio Messina
BLADE STAFF WRITER

Another Ohio charter school sponsored by the Lucas County Educational Service Center has been ordered closed because of a long list of chronic problems, including overspending and allowing prayer in the school.

The educational service center's governing board, Ohio's largest sponsor of charter schools, voted 4-0 Tuesday to permanently shut down the Nation Building Technical Academy, in Cincinnati. Board member Judy Hansen was not present.

Operations at the school, formerly known as NBARTA, have been suspended since May 25.

Nation Building Technical Academy can appeal the closing order to the Ohio Department of Education within 14 days.

Jim George, director of the county service center's community school division, said the technical academy's spending exceeded its revenue and has outstanding debt of more than $100,000.

The academy could not pay its staff, failed to hire certified staff, allowed prayer in school, and lacked a written curriculum.

In addition, Mr George said the academy claimed to have more students enrolled than it actually did - resulting in overpayment of state reimbursement funds. He said the academy enrolled "about 54 students."

Nation Building Technical is the second charter school to be closed recently by the Lucas County ESC. In October, the service center permanently shut down the International Preparatory School - the oldest and largest charter school in Cleveland - because of a lengthy list of problems there, including missing taxpayer money and low test scores.

Service center board member Joan Kuchcinski said more of the remaining 101 charter schools that the agency sponsors statewide could face probation or suspension as the board continues to closely examine their financial and academic records.

"They will be scrutinized and looked at very closely to make sure they are meeting their academic goals and they are fiscally responsible," Ms. Kuchcinski said.

There are 297 charter schools operating in Ohio, including 31 in Lucas County.