A Denver charter school that faced closure two months ago now is on two years’ probation after the school board Thursday night reversed its decision.
Denver Arts & Technology Academy — a kindergarten- through-eighth-grade school in northwest Denver — was tabbed for closure after a 4-3 vote in February by the school board not to renew the school’s contract.
The charter school fought the decision by entering into negotiations with the district and agreeing to oversight measures over the next two years.
The school promises to significantly improve academic achievement and has agreed to revamp its governance.
“This is a major deal,” said Ray Griffin, the school’s principal. “This creates a timeline that allows us to move forward.”
The school, which started in 2000 and moved into a new building five years ago, had been slated for closure because of low achievement over the years.
Denver’s school board also questioned whether the school’s management company, Mosaica Education Inc., was fully engaged in improving the school.
The school had changed its educational program year after year and has had a rotating cast of principals, and parents complained of discipline problems.
Last year, the district placed the school on probation, demanding significant improvement in student performance and financial reporting.
School board member Arturo Jimenez said it’s only fair that the school now be judged on the district’s new performance framework.
