Franklin Arts Academies, which runs three charter schools in Gilbert and Mesa, may lose its charter for inaccurately reporting student attendance.
The Arizona State Board for Charter Schools voted earlier this month to issue a 90-day notice of intent to revoke the charter for the three schools.
“The revocation was based on evidence indicating the school had failed to comply with Arizona laws and contractual requirements to accurately report student attendance,” said DeAnna Rowe, executive director of the state charter board.
The schools will remain open through the 90-day process, Rowe said.
At the end of the 90-day period, she said, probably sometime in July, a public hearing will take place before an administrative law judge where both parties will present exhibits and testimony.
The judge has a 20-day review period and, at the end of it, will issue his findings and conclusions.
The charter board will hold another hearing and take the judge’s recommendations into consideration when determining whether to revoke the charter, which would effectively shut down the schools. The board can accept, modify or reject the judge’s findings.
Rowe said the notice is still being drafted and the school has not yet received it.
Once the notice is presented to the school, the school is required to notify parents and staff in writing and inform them that it’s available to review.
Gloria Warnick, a spokeswoman for the Franklin Arts Academies, declined to comment until the schools receive official notice from the charter board.
“Principals and teachers are giving the students the same quality of education,” Warnick said.
Franklin High School, which was operated under the same charter, closed in November, citing financial problems. The closure came after the charter board discovered the school inaccurately reported student enrollment, citing 170 students when 127 were enrolled, and adjusted the school’s funding accordingly.
Franklin Arts Academies teach pre-school students through eighth grade. Its campuses include a school at 862 E. Elliot Road in Gilbert, another at 2929 E. McKellips Road in Mesa, and one at 3015 S. Power Road in Mesa.
