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Help Dispatched To Athenian Academy

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By RONNIE BLAIR rblair@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 8, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - Athenian Academy of Pasco is getting additional assistance from the management firm that runs the charter school in a bid to help address concerns about the school's operation.

Two new representatives from the Leona Group were introduced to the Pasco County School Board this week.

Thomas Gay is a Leona vice president with nearly 30 years experience in education. Dan Rishavy is director of finance for the Leona Group in Florida. The Leona Group has dispatched them to help Athenian Academy deal with problems cited in a recent school district review.

The review raised concerns about the school's finances, high teacher turnover and operational procedures.

An audit showed the school headed into the 2007-08 school year with a $127,136 deficit. The school reports that at the end of the 2007-08 fiscal year, though, the deficit had been whittled to $36,944.

One factor that helped the school on the financial front: The Leona Group waived a $77,560 management fee the school had owed, the review said.

School board members said the two Leona representatives were a welcome sight.

Frank Parker, the board's vice chairman, said their arrival should give the school "the chance to clear up some of the problems of the past."

Board Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey said one of her main concerns is the high teacher turnover, which the review said "has a negative impact on the stability of the school and on student learning."

"I hope things will get more stable there," Starkey said.

Board member Allen Altman said one of the complaints from parents was the lack of communication from the school. He urged Gay and Rishavy to hold a parents' meeting at some point to let parents know what is happening at the school and to answer questions.

"We can do that," Gay said.

Athenian Academy opened in 2006. The school, which features instruction in the Greek language, serves students in kindergarten through seventh grade.

The school earned a B grade this year under the state's grading system, which is based on student scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

Charter schools are public schools paid for by tax dollars, but they are operated by private groups or individuals.

Earlier this year, the school board gave Athenian Academy a one-year extension on its contract.

A memo at that time from Superintendent Heather Fiorentino said the school district would be gathering more data throughout this school year on the success of the school's academic programs, financial viability and other factors.

That information will come into play in 2009 when the school board considers a long-term contract renewal for the charter school.

Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at (813) 948-4218.

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