Thursday, February 17, 2000
Charter school shut for 3rd day
State board told performance lags, teachers go unpaid
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS — Classes at a military-style charter school accused of violating its contract with the state won't resume today, said an attorney who claims the state's method for trying to shut down the school is unconstitutional.
The Riser Military Academy, which was closed Tuesday and Wednesday, will remain closed because of “administrative reasons,” said John Waddy, the school's attorney. He would not elaborate or say when the school will reopen, if at all.
Administrators were expected to make an announcement late Wednesday about the school's future, Mr. Waddy said.
An Ohio Board of Education subcommittee met Wednesday to hear evidence as to why the school's three-year contract with the state should be terminated.
State school Superintendent Susan Tave Zelman started the 180-day process to terminate the contract with the school Jan. 5.
The committee is expected to make a recommendation next month to the full board, which will decide whether the contract should be terminated. There is no appeal.
The state has cited the school, run by Darryl Riser, for accruing debt from remodeling projects on the building, having no money for textbooks and instructional supplies, failing to meet student performance requirements and not paying teachers.
“We have the obligation to hold them to the contract,” board spokeswoman Monica Zarichny said Wednesday.
The hearing Wednesday was the first opportunity to hear some of the evidence the Department of Education has collected, Mr. Waddy said.
He argued that the process the state is using to shut down the school does not give Mr. Riser the power to challenge those accusing him of misconduct.
About 80 students and parents attended the hearing Wednesday in support of Mr. Riser.
Ms. Zarichny said Mr. Riser has collected $120,000 a month from the state since the school opened in September. The money was to be used for supplies and teachers for a projected enrollment of 300 children in grades five through eight.
Current enrollment is about 125. Mr. Riser will have to pay back the money for students who never enrolled.
Parents and students who supported Mr. Riser's efforts said the city's public schools have not met their children's needs. They were impressed with Mr. Riser's vision of a regimented environment with uniforms and strict rules.
“Had he been given the opportunity, I believe he would have done a better job,” said Joyce Holmes, whose son attends sixth grade at the academy.
“Being an African-American, I know how this city is, and I just believe had he been white, he would've gotten support from the community as well as public officials,” she said.
Mr. Riser, a Houston native, worked nine years for the state Commission on African-American Males, organizing after-school groups and camps for youngsters.
He was unsuccessful at two earlier efforts to start a private military school.
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