Moyer Academy's charter is not renewed

Feb 19, 2010 — Dover Post

Wilmington, Del. -

The Delaware State Board of Education has voted not to renew the charter of the Maurice J. Moyer Academy Charter School.

Secretary of Education Lillian M. Lowery recommended the denial based on the recommendations of the Charter School Accountability Committee.

The State Board voted unanimously to terminate the charter at the end of this school year at its Thursday, Feb. 18 meeting.

Located on 17th Street in Wilmington, Moyer Academy first opened in September, 2006 with an approved enrollment of 300 students in grades six, seven and nine. In its fourth year, Moyer currently serves 484 students in grades six-12 with an approved enrollment of 530 students.

In October, 2009, Moyer submitted a five-year renewal application which is required by law for each charter school. In the renewal application, a charter school must demonstrate compliance in 14 criteria in order to have their charter considered for renewal.

In November, the CSAC met with Moyer Academy representatives to discuss the renewal process. The following month, in December, 2009, the CSAC met to draft a preliminary report on Moyer’s renewal application. In the preliminary report, all 14 criteria were analyzed; the CSAC identified numerous deficient areas including, student performance, curriculum, and highly qualified teachers.

Based on these findings, the CSAC recommended that the charter not be renewed. Moyer Academy was then given time to comment on the findings in the Preliminary Report.

The CSAC met again on January 5 to draft a final report after taking into consideration the responses from Moyer representatives. Following review of that information, the CSAC’s final recommendation remained that of non-renewal.

On Jan. 25, a public hearing was held at the Townsend Building in Dover to receive comment regarding the renewal application and the recommendation from the CSAC. Approximately 30 people representing both Moyer Academy and the community spoke at the hearing.

The Academy will continue to provide its current instructional program as specified in the school’s charter. It must also administer the Delaware Student Testing Program in accordance with regulations and policies.

The state Department of Education will work with the Moyer Academy administration to ensure an orderly transition of student records, equipment and other resources.