Federal Heights – The board of directors for an embattled charter school, one of the largest in the state, voted Wednesday night to part ways with its executive director.
Under mounting pressure from the school’s parent district and a new report that again criticized the school’s management, the Pinnacle board of directors decided unanimously to keep Margaret Summers on administrative leave until her current contract expires and not to extend her contract for the next school year.
A steady drumbeat of district investigations has alleged shoddy accounting practices at The Pinnacle, unethical governance structure and, most recently, mishandling of sexual harassment complaints and falsification of bus maintenance records.
The Pinnacle’s leadership, while acknowledging some problems, has charged that the district’s investigations are incomplete and are looking to find fault with the school. The Adams 12 Five Star school board has threatened to revoke the school’s charter if it does not shape up.
“We think it’s in the best interest of the school not to return Dr. Summers,” said Dean De Paolo, a Pinnacle board member. “Given all the information we had in front of us, I think this is the best decision we could make.”
Summers, who was part of a group that founded The Pinnacle eight years ago, could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.
She had been scheduled to return from administrative leave today.
The Pinnacle’s board had placed Summers on administrative leave last month following the district reports but recently voted to bring her back.
Adams 12 Superintendent Mike Paskewicz on Friday sent a letter to board members telling them of new alleged improprieties the district had uncovered, informing the board that the school was perilously close to major sanctions from the district, including the possible revocation of its charter.
“We’re pleased the Pinnacle board has taken this action,” Paskewicz said Wednesday night. “They have some very serious deficiencies to address, and this shows they are taking those deficiencies seriously.”
Monrad Monsen, another Pinnacle board member, said that although board members were aware of the district’s mounting pressure, they did not make their decision because of that.
“It was a decision based on the facts and what we think is best for the school,” he said.
Staff writer John Ingold can be reached at 720-929-0898 or jingold@denverpost.com.
