Statement from Veronica Brooks, Policy Director, Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, on the BESE School Innovation and Turnaround Committee’s votes today to deny charter applications from Greater Grace Charter Academy, Kingdom Builders Community Development Corporation, Inc., Smothers Academy, and to defer applications from Louisiana Charter Foundation Inc. and Louisiana Delta Empowerment Group:
“It is hard to operate a charter school, which is why we have a very hard authorization process. But it is also why our state is ranked third in the nation for the strength of our charter laws and second in the nation for the sustained health of our movement. We are about quality charter schools, not quantity.The constructive critique applicants received today will hopefully help them prepare for reapplication.”