Closed charter school Entrepreneur High appeals to save itself

A Charlotte charter school that closed its doors last month has appealed a state decision that would shut it down permanently.

Entrepreneur High’s board chairman says the school has a plan that would keep it going sustainably.

The school ended classes in January, just days after reporting that it had only $14 in its bank account. The state Board of Education voted to revoke its charter the next week. The school’s board chairman, Robert Hillman, has now appealed that decision.

THE PLAN TO REOPEN: Hillman said Entrepreneur High has signed an agreement with a national charter school management company, Lighthouse Academies, that could lead to the company managing the school. Lighthouse Academies operates 18 schools, primarily in the Midwest.

But the agreement comes with a number of contingencies, including that Entrepreneur High expands to grades six through eight, upgrades its facilities, and raises $500,000 from the community.

Hillman also argues that the state faces no financial risk in delaying a decision on its charter because no public dollars are currently going to the school. Entrepreneur High’s cash was frozen in the fall after enrollment came up significantly short of projections. Only about 30 students were attending classes in January, compared with projected enrollment of 180.

The school’s plan to reopen this school year would require public money, however.

Hillman had already launched an online petition in support of the school, and sent a flood of letters to Board of Education members.

WHY LIGHTHOUSE WANTS TO BE INVOLVED: Chief Development Officer Troy Bell said Entrepreneur High’s focus on manufacturing and trades fits well with Lighthouse’s model of project-based learning.

“I think they’ve got a great opportunity, they’ve got a great facility, excellent and committed teachers,” Bell said.

Entrepreneur High would owe Lighthouse $100,000 for developing the turnaround plan, according to the agreement. The company would also get management fees ranging from 5 percent to 10 percent of revenues in future years.

WHAT’S NEXT: The state Board of Education will name a panel of its members to hear arguments from both the school and the N.C. Department of Instruction, and present a recommendation to the full board on whether to revoke the charter.

Bell said he hopes to reopen the school this academic year for any students who would be interested in returning.

Hillman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

This story was originally published February 3, 2015 at 1:59 PM with the headline "Closed charter school Entrepreneur High appeals to save itself."