Memphis-Shelby County School Board approves expansion to its second oldest public charter school

The Memphis-Shelby County School Board approved an expansion request Tuesday night for one the district’s oldest public charter schools.Under the expansion plan, existing K-6 STAR Academy will grow to serve grades K-8.“I want to emphasize the profound impact this amendment could have, granting STAR Academy the opportunity to extend our reach into middle schools. Education is not merely about expanding a school. It’s about uplifting our community,” said STAR Academy Board Chair Gerald Fanion. “This proposed expansion is more than just growth. It represents a commitment to the future of our students and to the community we proudly serve.”STAR Academy is located in the heart of Memphis and is the district’s second oldest public charter school. The academy first opened in 2004 and aims to promote critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, and culture competence.In approving the additional grades, board members voted against the district charter review committee’s recommendation to deny the application. Review committee members cited a lack of research-based evidence that adding grades seven and eight would have a positive effect on academics and a lack of detail for how the school plans to accommodate the extra students.Reviewers were also concerned about the school’s timeline to address the operational and financial impact of adding two grades.Board Chair Althea Greene saw the expansion application differently, saying parents want the full K-8 experience and she believes there is plenty of room for the school to expand.“I have had many, many calls regarding the parents from STAR Academy about adding grades. I have been to STAR Academy, I am that person that’s in the school. Even at capacity, at the capacity that they serve now, they have room in the building. But if anybody (takes) time to go out there, drive by there and visit them, you will see that they’re also building,” said Greene.Greene wasn’t the only board member to push back on the review committee’s assessment.Board member Mauricio Calvo said he found the current process problematic while fellow board member Keith Williams expressed his own concerns about whether the district asked STAR Academy leaders for the information the application required.“I am concerned that the district’s office did not do its due diligence in asking for what (it) wanted from STAR Academy,” said Williams.Interim Superintendent Toni Williams said that it’s important to remain compliant with the law, and that she wants the public to know she doesn’t support the narrative Memphis-Shelby County Schools opposes public charter schools.“I think that the administration gets a wrap around not supporting charter schools and that’s not the narrative that I want to have tonight as the superintendent sitting here. I support students, and I want to follow law, compliance, and procedures,” said Williams. “I don’t ever want to put us in a situation as a board, as an administration to be called to question on law and procedures and policies.”The board unanimously voted to approve STAR Academy’s expansion with board member Mauricio Calvo choosing to abstain.