A Lehigh Acres charter school is accused of making mistakes. But students say they shouldn’t have to pay for them.
Students are pleading to keep their charter school from closing.
“I never thought that, but when I heard it I was in shock,” said Johnnee Shanea, 17, who attends the Lee Alternative Charter High School in Lehigh Acres.
They’re hoping the Lee County School Board doesn’t close the Lee Alternative Charter High School in Lehigh Acres after what Superintendent Joseph Burke called serious violations. An investigation uncovered that the high school awarded students diplomas who didn’t meet the requirements.
The investigation by the Lee County School District found six students, about 36 percent of Lee Alternative Charter High’s 2011 graduating class, received a diploma but were not eligible to graduate.
It also shows that students at the charter high school were given credit for taking the same classes more than once or received more than the maximum credit for some courses. Teachers allegedly removed safeguards that were in place to keep students from retaking the same classes.
The investigation found some grades or credits were adjusted to fit diploma requirements. Some students were reported as being in attendance when they were not.
The district would monitor the Lehigh Acres School on a bimonthly basis. If they are still not in compliance, they voluntarily terminate at the end of the year and not appeal any action the board might take, Burke said.
The Lee Alternative Charter High School is located at 1201 Taylor Lane Ext Lehigh Acres, FL 33936
The school is operated by Richard Milburn Academy of Florida Inc., which has charter schools across the state, including Bonita Springs and in Texas.
But Lee County School officials chose not to make a quick decision.
“I’m in favor of tabling this myself until we have something in writing,” said board member Jane Kuckel.
Board member Don Armstrong agreed, “Before we actually not take action on this item, do we have something in writing,” he said.
“They’re helping me to succeed and that’s what I need,” said Uniqua Sturgis, 20, a student at the Lee Alternative Charter High School in Lehigh Acres. “And no other school can give me that right now due to my age.”
The decision is now postponed to August 7 while officials come to an agreement between the district and charter school.