A troubled charter school has until 5 tonight to deliver details of how it will improve its academics, leadership and finances.
Denver Public Schools’ board in February set the deadline for Challenges Choices and Images to submit plans as part of the renegotiation process for its contract with the district.
If the district approves of the corrective plan, the school will be placed on one year of probation.
The school was targeted because of its poor academic performance, ongoing financial troubles and apparent leadership problems. The school is led by Carolyn Jones, who sits on the governing board along with her sister, Margaret Anderson.
In the past week, the Montbello school has come under increased scrutiny for hiring staff members and contract workers with criminal pasts, including assistant principal William Brown, who was convicted in 2005 of possessing a crack pipe.
School officials have not returned calls this week seeking comment.
Denver’s district attorney is reviewing school financial records to determine whether a criminal investigation is warranted, according to spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough.
The school district is also in the midst of its own investigation, said DPS spokesman Alex Sanchez.
A 2007 audit showed the school could not account for $73,000.
And investigators are trying to determine whether public money was used to fund the creation of a private child-care center and whether a $500,000 loan by the school for the preschool was appropriate.
Denver’s school board is likely to address the woes tonight. The board met in executive session Monday to discuss the case and weigh three options: maintain the one-year probation with existing conditions, add more conditions or close the school.
The district is in contract negotiations with 11 charter schools.
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
