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Board rejects plan for charter school

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By RONNIE BLAIR

rblair@tampatrib.com

Published: October 7, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - The Pasco County School Board voted Tuesday to reject the application of a charter school that planned to open in 2010 and include a strong Greek language component in its curriculum.
Plato Academy would have served students in kindergarten through eighth grade, but a district staff review concluded the application had too many deficiencies.

Nancy Scowcroft, the district's charter school supervisor, said the problems included a failure to identify an intensive reading plan for students in kindergarten through second grade; inadequate goals and objectives in math, reading, writing and science; and an inadequate financial plan.
Plato Academy already operates a charter school in Clearwater. Steve Ayoub, a member of the Clearwater school's board of directors, urged the school board to postpone action to give Plato Academy time to respond to the denial recommendation.

Ayoub said some of the concerns raised by the district staff "are just wrong" and other issues have been dealt with.

The school board showed no interest in postponing the decision.

Board member Kathryn Starkey said the district gives charter school applicants the opportunity to meet with staff ahead of time to work out any problems.

Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at (813) 259-7065.

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