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TAMPA — The Hillsborough County school district used the word ‘defiance’ Wednesday when talking about Walton Academy for the Performing Arts being open, despite the school board’s decision the previous night to terminate its charter.
By Thursday, as the school was still open, school officials said state allows it while the school appeals the closure. In a response from the school’s legal representative at The Arnold Law Firm in Jacksonville:
“Walton Academy for the Performing Arts is deeply concerned by the actions of the Hillsborough County School Board and intends to pursue all available legal recourse.
Florida law allows a charter school to remain open during the pendency of this type of appeal unless and until its Sponsor obtains an injunction. All alleged safety violations of the School were cured before the School Board’s decision to terminate the School, and there is no danger to students.
Accordingly, Walton Academy remains open at this time. Any attempt by the School Board to close the school before a court order has been issued is inconsistent with Florida law.”
Walton Academy decision from the school board
The school board, at the recommendation of Superintendent Van Ayres, cited safety concerns as the reason for the decision.
Walton officials told Spectrum News they plan to speak through their attorney about why they opened school Wednesday and what they plan to do for the rest of the week.
People close to the situation say the timing of this was abrupt, with students, parents and staff learning about the termination less than 24 hours before students were to report back to class.
The school district, meanwhile, is saying something different. It released a statement Wednesday that said: “Walton Academy opened this morning in defiance of the board’s action last night that immediately terminated their charter.”
The district cited a Florida statute and said the school violated it. It said an injunction would be sought to stop the school from operating, because if it continued to do so, it would threaten the health, safety and welfare of students.
At Tuesday night’s school board meeting, state and district officials discussed what they called security concerns like unmarked safe areas in classrooms, a non-functioning Alyssa’s Alert system (a silent panic alarm connected to law enforcement) and a lack of emergency drills. In a letter, the district said Walton had been warned about security issues since the school year started.
School officials say those concerns have been dealt with and said they are discussing next steps, which could include appealing the injunction. The school had many parents and supporters at Tuesday night’s meeting.
Parents were picking up their children from the school Wednesday afternoon, with a long line of vehicles present.
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Saundra Weathers
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