The Morongo Unified School Board met last night. Dominating the meeting was a public hearing on a renewal application from Hope Academy Charter School. Reporter David Haldane said the hearing left some questionsâŚ
Will Hope Academy survive in Yucca Valley?
The future of the Morongo Unified School Districtâs only charter school hung in the balance last night as the board held an emotional public hearing on whether to recertify it for another five years.
At issue: the schoolâs finances, which have been problematic, and its academic performance, which is under par.
âThereâs no doubt that Hope Academy has had some pretty serious issues in the past but we have moved forward. We need to cut out the politics and just focus on whatâs right for the kids.â
Thatâs Kyle Hannah, Hopeâs superintendent, who says that the financial problems will be solved by June and the academics sometime later. He was cheered on by a parade of administrators, teachers, students and parents who sang the schoolâs praises.
The board will decide which way to go on April 5. It may be no accident that thatâs also the day of another public hearing: on a petition by the Hi-Desert Cultural Center to start a new charter school in Joshua Tree.