Hillsborough school board terminates Walton Academy charter

TAMPA, Fla. — More than 100 students at a Tampa charter school will have to report to new schools in the coming days.

Hillsborough County Public Schools board members voted unanimously Tuesday to terminate the charter for Walton Academy for the Performing Arts.

It came at the recommendation of Superintendent Van Ayres, and both Ayres and the board said the decision was all about safety. 

The district received a letter from the Florida Department of Education last week saying a recent inspection of Walton identified a number of safety concerns. About 20 parents, teachers, and former students asked that the school be given time to correct issues, but board members said they couldn’t risk students’ wellbeing.

“This school’s not just about classrooms and hallways. It’s a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where children are not only educated, but truly cared for,” one woman told the board.

One after another, speakers addressed board members during public comment to explain what Walton means to its students.

“It’s where my daughter discovered her voice – literally and figuratively – through performing arts,” said WAPA parent Ashley Anderson. “It’s where she learned to collaborate, to lead, and to believe in herself.”

But both the state and district are raising security concerns about the charter school.

A letter from the department of education to Ayres dated October 9 outlines a number of issues. They include unmarked safe areas in classrooms, a non-functioning Alyssa’s Alert system, and lack of emergency drills. A letter to the school from attorney Jeffrey W. Gibson with the firm Gray Robinson dated October 10 listed similar concerns – among them, that a district inspection found an unlocked front gate and staff who were unable to use the Raptor system to communicate with first responders. That letter says Walton has been warned about security issues multiple times since the school year started, but its principal said those have been tackled.

Hillsborough County Public Schools board members voted unanimously Tuesday to terminate the charter for Walton Academy for the Performing Arts. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

“The concerns outlined by the district and state have been fully addressed, corrected, and documented. There are no ongoing safety and health issues at Walton Academy,” said Principal Tanika Walton. 

One woman who told the board she was fired from her teaching job at Walton earlier this year was the lone speaker in favor of closing the school.

“I have several videos and pictures of the school being in horrible condition, from rat poop, ceiling leaking, and floor dismantled,” she said.

In the end, the board’s decision was unanimous, minus a vote from member Patti Rendon, who was absent. 

“The protection and the security of our students is first and foremost to me,” said member Karen Perez.

Member Nadia Combs said she has other concerns, as well, pointing out that large percentages of Walton students aren’t performing at grade level in reading and math.

“We have 236 schools in Hillsborough County, and not a single one has an administrator that doesn’t have administration background or a teaching background. Since 2004, this school has been run by somebody that doesn’t have an education background,” said Combs.

Principal Tanika Walton, as well as multiple parents and others connected with the school, declined to comment to Spectrum News after the vote. Board Attorney Jim Porter said during the meeting he was told the school will be appealing the decision.

A district spokesperson said Walton’s 117 families were contacted Monday and Tuesday to let them know a charter termination was possible. It takes effect immediately, and students will have a few options moving forward. They can attend their neighborhood school or use school choice to enroll in others nearby, including Muller and Shore Elementary Magnet Schools that focus on performing arts.