Staying with the story
The Springfield News-Sun has covered this issue since the Graham Local School District first decided to not renew its contract with the AB Graham Academy in December. We were there when ABGA appealed that decision and GLSD announced its new GOAL program and will continue to keep you updated on ABGA’s future.
The state has denied a Champaign County charter school’s request for sponsorship, which could force the school to close by the end of the month.
But school board members plan to appeal.
“We’re very disappointed; however, it is not our last option,” said Kim Snyder, a member of the A.B. Graham Academy school board and a parent of a student. “We’re in the midst of appealing and looking at other options. It has been my goal to help our school remain open.”
The A.B. Graham Academy wanted the Ohio Department of Education to sponsor the school after the Graham Local School District declined to renew a contract with the academy December 2013, opting instead to open up its own online digital academy next school year called Graham Online Academy for Learning (GOAL).
The school’s application was denied due to Graham Local’s decision not to renew its contract with the academy, and because the application for sponsorship was submitted late, said John Charlton, a spokesman for the Department of Education.
Charlton said the school has 15 days to appeal the state’s decision.
To continue operating, ABGA must also have a contract with a sponsor by June 30 to continue operating, Charlton said. June 30 is the date ABGA’s contract expires with Graham Local.
Charter schools receive public funding and are run by an appointed school board and must have a sponsor that oversees the school and the board.
The A.B. Graham Academy provides an alternative way of learning to the traditional brick and mortar setting. It educates students with a mix of online, in-class and at-home work.
The ABGA had 258 students his past school year. As of last month, of the 50 students who returned letters of intent to return to ABGA, 28 indicated they planned to return next school year.
Snyder said school officials are communicating with parents weekly to keep them up to date on its efforts to obtain a sponsor.
“Our message to parents is that we’re still fighting to keep the school open,” Snyder said.
Norm Glismann, superintendent of Graham Local, said the majority of ABGA students have already enrolled in GOAL, the district’s new online academy.
During its first year, GOAL will serve middle school students in seventh and eighth grades and all high school students. In the 2015-2016 academic year, GOAL will offer classes to sixth-grade students.
“We think this will provide a lot of opportunities for all of our students and not just students in our online academy,” Glismann said.
Sixty-six high school students and 21 middle school students in grades 7-8 were enrolled in GOAL as of Monday, Glismann said. He said GOAL can enroll up to 100 students in its first year.
Students can attend classes four days a week, while others can attend three days or two days per week. Other students can take all of their classes online at home. Teachers can meet with students in person by appointment.
“It’s really a different format than a traditional classroom,” Glissman said.
Jerry Blosser, of St. Paris, said his preference is for his son, Levi, to attend the A.B. Graham Academy.
Blosser returned a letter of intent to ABGA and hopes the school finds a sponsor.
“It’s more one-on-one and gives him the individual personal time he needs,” Blosser said.
Snyder said board members will meet Thursday to discuss its options.
“We’re trying to do whatever we can do to keep from shutting down July 1,” Snyder said.
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