There is hope after all for the 2,000 students who are enrolled at Hope Academy Charter Schools. The charter school, with 10 campuses across three counties, has been under fire recently following possible financial irregularities by the school’s former superintendent. The school’s original five-year charter with Morongo Unified School district was not renewed and the Lucerne Valley Unified School District also passed on partnering with the beleaguered charter school. Because Hope Academy’s original charter expires today (June 30), the board of directors had no choice but to close Hope Academy effective today. However, the board’s next action at a special meeting held last night was to partner with Inspire Charter Schools and Discovery of Learning. Hope Academy superintendent Kyle Hannah said partnering with Inspire will keep the 10 charter schools’ doors open next year. The board had also submitted an appeal of MUSD’s refusal to renew its charter before the county Board of Education, but because the appeal wouldn’t be considered until at least August 1—which was too late to ensure that the school would be open in time for the 2016-17 school year— the board also voted to withdraw its petition last night. The Yucca Valley charter school will be open for its 425 students this fall, under the new name.
