Members of the Hamilton County School Board voted 10-0 to deny an amended application to establish the Tennessee Wildflower Public School. The proposed Montessori-based school would have been Hamilton County’s eighth public charter school.¶
Friday’s decision follows the board’s earlier denial of the Tennessee Wildflower’s original application in April, which was submitted alongside another proposal—Little Kings and Queens Charter Academy. The Tennessee Wildflower was the only one of the two applicants to submit an amended application.¶
Following the decision, leaders of the Tennessee Wildflower posted a response on their Facebook page, criticizing the behavior of board members.¶
“Although the HCDE Board Vote didn’t go as we had hoped, we remain undeterred and inspired by our mission. What was truly disappointing, yet fuel for our passion, was the discourteous behavior displayed by a couple board members. As long time public educators, we acknowledge areas for improvement and are committed to securing a facility while ensuring financial stability,” wrote the Tennessee Wildflower. “I am grateful to everyone who has contributed and continues to support this endeavor. Thank you for being part of our movement!”¶
The school’s application proposed to “radically shift student access to a Montessori education in Chattanooga and re-center Montessori in its founding roots in equity and social justice.”¶
Despite refinements to the plan in the amended application, district officials concluded that critical issues remained unresolved.¶
Revised Plan Still Fails to Meet Standards¶
Fannie Moore, Hamilton County Schools’ Charter School Coordinator, presented the findings of the district’s review committee before Friday’s vote. The committee was comprised of internal and external evaluators, and its members re-examined the Tennessee Wildflower’s academic, operations, and financial plans along with the performance record of other schools in the Wildflower Foundation that supports more than 70 small, teacher-led Montessori micro-schools across the country.¶
Moore noted that the school’s original application did not meet the standard in any of the four areas, and therefore the revised submission required updates across the board.¶
The amended proposal maintained a projected enrollment of 120 students in grades Pre-K through 5. While a final school location was not secured, the application identified a planned site in East Chattanooga, intending to primarily serve neighborhoods such as Brainerd, Tiner, and College Hill on the west side.¶
“Launching a successful charter school requires a strong, cohesive plan and founding team,” Moore told the board during Thursday’s meeting. “Because strengths in one area cannot offset weaknesses in others. Only applicants who score ‘Meets Standards’ in all major areas of the evaluation rubric should be recommended, in alignment with the rigorous standards set by Tennessee law.”¶
Though Tennessee Wildflower showed improvement in some areas, it ultimately failed to meet state standards in all state categories to receive a favorable recommendation.¶
What’s Next for Tennessee Wildflower?¶
Under state law, the Wildflower Foundation could choose to appeal to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission. Commissioners have the authority to override local decisions if members determine the application meets state requirements.¶
Last year the commission overturned three charter denials in Nashville and one in Memphis.¶
