State officials have agreed to grant a three-year renewal to PACE Academy’s charter, months after the State Board of Education voted to terminate the Carrboro school’s charter.
WUNC reported on the status of the school earlier this year in January and February.
In February, state officials said they found patterns of non-compliance, low academic performance and concerns related to financial stability.
PACE Academy school leaders said they planned to appeal the decision, but instead came to a mutual settlement agreement this week with state officials.
In a document provided by school administrators, the settlement requires PACE to expand its Board of Directors and come up with a strategic plan with clear academic, operational, financial and governance goals for each of the three years of the charter.
“We’re super excited it’s been a rough seven months the settle agreement is the best news we could’ve received,” said principal Rhonda Franklin. “So, now, we’re just getting adjusted to the news and coming back to life, so to speak.”
Since the charter school movement began in 1997, more than 35 North Carolina charter schools have shut down either through relinquishment, revocation or non-renewal. Most common reasons involve financial or compliance issues.
