News Summary
Leon County Schools is contemplating legal action against Charter Schools USA after the closure of Renaissance Academy and a dispute over property. The charter school faced challenges with enrollment and finances before ceasing operations. Superintendent Rocky Hanna has expressed concern about accessing school property for inventory. Meanwhile, Tallahassee Preparatory Academy is set to take over the building, establishing itself as a private school for advanced learners while also prompting ongoing discussions about the future of education in the district.
Tallahassee – Leon County Schools is considering legal action against Charter Schools USA following the closure of Renaissance Academy and a property dispute. The charter school, which struggled with consistent under-enrollment and financial sustainability issues, ceased operations earlier this year, and now the contents of the school are under contention between the two parties.
Under Florida law, any equipment and property bought with public funds must be returned to the school district when a charter school closes. Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna expressed concern over the situation, revealing that the district has made two unsuccessful attempts to access Renaissance Academy for inventory purposes.
Charter Schools USA President Richard Page stated that the organization is complying with legal requirements, citing a lien held by bondholders on the property as the reason for the situation. This issue has attracted the attention of the Florida Department of Education, which clarified that it will not be involved in mediating the conflict, confirming that it remains exclusively between Leon County Schools and Charter Schools USA.
As of Monday, no legal proceedings have been initiated by either party. Meanwhile, Tallahassee Preparatory Academy is scheduled to take over the Renaissance Academy building for the upcoming school year, operating independently from the district despite adhering to its academic calendar. This new private school is designed for “advanced learners” and plans to admit students up to grade nine during its inaugural year.
Currently, Renaissance Academy serves 242 students and has been classified as a Title I school, primarily catering to a lower-income and Black student population. The decision to close the school was attributed to enrollment challenges and ongoing financial difficulties.
The transition to Tallahassee Preparatory Academy is framed by Charter Schools USA’s State Superintendent as beneficial for Leon County students. The new institution will charge average tuition fees of $8,000, with additional costs for younger students. However, this tuition does not cover expenses such as Advanced Placement exams and extracurricular activities.
Prospective students will need to meet specific performance criteria to gain admission to Tallahassee Preparatory Academy, which has also been noted for limited support services for students with disabilities. In anticipation of this transition, Renaissance Academy teachers have been encouraged to either apply for jobs at the new academy or explore opportunities within the Charter Schools USA network.
Tallahassee Preparatory Academy is aiming to enroll up to 600 students by August and will be temporarily overseen by an appointed vice president from Discovery Science Schools until a principal is designated.
Additionally, Charter Schools USA is set to launch the Innovation Academy of Excellence, Florida’s first AI-integrated middle school, in partnership with Tallahassee State College in August. This initiative further emphasizes the evolving landscape of education within the region.
Superintendent Hanna has voiced his opposition to state voucher programs, contending that they could undermine public education and exacerbate inequalities in access to quality education solutions for students. As the situation develops, the potential legal action taken by Leon County Schools against Charter Schools USA will be closely monitored by educators, parents, and the community at large.
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Additional Resources
- WTXL: Leon County Schools Weighs Legal Action
- Tallahassee.com: Charter School Closing
- TCPalm: Indian River State College Charter School
- Orlando Sentinel: Charter School Expansion
- Tallahassee Reports: Charter School Proposal
- Wikipedia: Charter School
- Google Search: Florida Charter Schools
- Google Scholar: Florida Education Law
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Google News: Charter Schools Tallahassee
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
