Local News

Charter school startup withdraws application

Marc Valero | Highlands Today
Published: September 26, 2012

SEBRING - A charter school startup based in Palm Beach County that was planning to open a school next year in Highlands County has withdrawn its application with the School Board of Highlands County.

Deputy Superintendent Rodney Hollinger said his discussions with CHAMPS Charter Schools President Joseph A. Russo centered on timelines and site selection.

It's just a short time to get everything done and they have other irons in the fire also, he said.

CHAMPS received approval about a month ago from the Palm Beach County School Board to open its first two charter schools in Palm Royal and Wellington in 2013.

Russo planned to open a K-8 school in Highlands County in August 2013. CHAMPS planned to open charter schools in 20 Florida counties in 2013, according to its website.

Hollinger said CHAMPS decided to pull the application in Highlands County this year and potentially come back in a future year when they have more time to get it organized.

The school board canceled its Tuesday workshop, which was scheduled solely to review the charter school's application.

Charter schools are tuition-free public schools created through an agreement or "charter" between the school and the local school board or a state university. This agreement gives the charter school a measure of expanded freedom relative to traditional public schools in return for a commitment to higher standards of accountability.

Currently Highlands County has no charter schools.

mvalero@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5826