Article: Superintendent named; 12 charter schools to close

Toledo Blade, December 14, 2005

A dozen Ohio charter schools, including three in Toledo, will have their contracts with the Lucas County Educational Service Center terminated at the end of the academic year because of perpetually poor academic performance and financial problems at some.

The 12 schools include Alliance Academy of Toledo, the Toledo Academy of Learning, and Aurora Academy, which was the first charter school in Ohio when it opened in August, 1998.

The service center governing board last night unanimously agreed not to renew the 12 schools' annual contracts, which expire on June 30, 2006. If any of the charter schools are unable to secure a new authorizing agency, they would not be allowed to continue operating.

The service center board last night also voted to hire Sandra Frisch as the agency's superintendent.

Ms. Frisch, who has worked for the service center 36 years, most recently as assistant superintendent, was appointed interim superintendent in August to replace longtime Superintendent Tom Baker. Mr. Baker resigned shortly after service center board member Joan Kuchcinski and a state senator claimed the agency broke the law by allowing Mr. Baker to independently approve millions of dollars in charter-school contracts.

Ms. Frisch's salary increased from $101,000 to $120,000 - what Mr. Baker was paid. Board member Randy Dixon said a salary would be set for Ms. Frisch by next month.

Joe Rutherford, board president, said Ms. Frisch has been able to begin restructuring the agency, which provides educational services to nine Toledo-area school districts and sponsors 101 charter schools out of the 297 statewide.

"I can't think of a better person to take the reins of this organization," he said.

The service center is releasing some charter schools to other sponsors because a state law says it cannot have more than 75 under its watch.

Jim George, director of its community schools division, said agreeing not to renew the 12 charter school contracts is a step in that direction, but stressed that the recommendation was made because of constant problems at those schools.

"Certainly, this is not an easy process, but one we feel needs to be addressed at this time," Mr. George said. "We have been with some of these schools since the beginning."

Aurora Academy, 541 Utah St., which has 137 students, did not meet any state standards on 2002-2003 and 2004-2005 state report cards.

The Toledo Academy of Learning, 301 Collingwood Blvd., which has 398 students, did not meet any state standards except for attendance during the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 school years. The school's leaders have not submitted required documents regularly - such as teacher certifications and proof of insurance for its building.

The Alliance Academy of Toledo, 1501 Monroe St., which has 347 students, did not meet any state standards on 2002-2003 school year state report card except for writing.

Ms. Kuchcinski, who has been a vocal critic of underperforming charter schools, was pleased with last night's action.

"Finally, I think we are holding these charter schools accountable," she said.

J.C. Benton, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Education, said sponsoring agencies like the service center need to scrutinize the charter schools under their watch.

"We support school choice, but not at the expense of accountability," he said. "If [charter] schools are not living up to their academic promise, then it is the duty of the sponsor to take appropriate action to ensure they improve, or that they cease operations."

The other nine the service center will not renew are:

● In Cincinnati: A.B Miree Fundamental Academy, Maud Booth Academy, and Dohn Community High School.

● In Columbus: Vision Into Action Academy and the Millennium Community School.

● In Akron: Lighthouse Academy, Ida B. Wells Community School, Harte School, and Crossroads Preparatory Academy.

The board also approved an "intent to suspend" measure for Harmony Community School in Cincinnati. The move is the first step in closing the school.

Mr. George said the school has not administered required state tests, not submitted financial reports, and did not properly respond to communications when it was put on probation.

In October, the service center shut down the International Preparatory School in Cleveland because of a lengthy list of problems there, including missing taxpayer money.

Last month, it agreed to close the Nation Building Technical Academy in Cincinnati because of chronic academic and financial problems.