Supporters of school choice received another setback to efforts to establish a high-quality public charter school in Tennessee’s largest city without one.
Friday afternoon, Tennessee Public Charter School Commission Executive Director Tess Stovall issued her recommendation to the full commission to deny Oxton Academy’s appeal to establish a public charter school serving at risk students and recent dropouts in Montgomery County.
The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System School Board narrowly voted down Oxton Academy’s charter application by a 4-3 vote last July despite the proposed school receiving a positive recommendation from the district’s charter review team.
Oxton Academy’s leaders appealed to the commission hoping to overturn the decision.
The proposed school would serve up to 300 students with a curriculum that’s tied directly to career education to offer practical, skill-based knowledge, and industry certifications.
“In partnership with parents, caregivers, and potential employers we will provide intensive, individualized support to students who have fallen off track and face significant challenges to success,” said director Marcel Monnar at a public hearing earlier this month.
Stovall recommended denying the application saying Oxton Academy failed to provide sufficient evidence it will meet the state’s academic, operational, and financial requirements.
“The proposed academic plan is ambitious – with a combination of blended learning, small group support, and work-based learning opportunities – however, I did not find sufficient evidence that the plan was comprehensive and reasonable to ensure successful implementation,” said Stovall. “Additionally, the sponsor has not shown evidence of community demand for this school model, nor have they identified specific communities they wish to serve. While their testimony in the public hearing spoke to engaging with parents and sharing the vision for Oxton Academy, the amended application did not show evidence of sufficient parent demand that would translate to the enrollment projections of the school.”
Stovall’s recommendation will be considered by the full commission when it decides whether to approve or deny Oxton Academy’s appeal.
In it’s short history, the commission has generally voted in alignment with the recommendations of its Executive Director on new start appeals. The lone exception was an appeal last year from Rutherford Collegiate Prep that Stovall recommended against but the commission granted.
