The School District of Manatee County is preparing to challenge attempts by Mater Academy Inc., a Miami-based charter school organization, to take over two public school facilities. The charter group aims to use the state's "Schools of Hope" law for "co-location" sites, a move district officials are disputing due to legal timing and practical concerns.
Key Takeaways
- Mater Academy Inc. targets Lincoln Memorial Middle School and Sara Scott Harllee Center.
- Manatee School District disputes notices, citing premature submission before law's effective date.
- The "Schools of Hope" law allows charters to use public school space without paying for utilities, busing, or meals.
- District officials express strong opposition, highlighting existing programs and community impact.
- Many other Manatee County schools face similar risks due to declining enrollment.
Charter Group Targets Two Manatee School Sites
Mater Academy Inc., a non-profit charter school organization based in Miami, sent notices to the School District of Manatee County on Wednesday. These notices identify Lincoln Memorial Middle School in Palmetto and the Sara Scott Harllee Center in Bradenton as potential sites for new charter schools. The organization seeks to use the state's "Schools of Hope" law to establish "co-location" facilities.
This state legislation permits charter school operators to occupy unused space within public school campuses. Under this law, the public school system would continue to cover costs such as utilities, busing, custodial services, and even meals for the charter students. The charter operator would not incur these expenses.
The notices propose transforming the Sara Scott Harllee Center into a charter school for grades 6-12, accommodating 782 students within five years. Lincoln Memorial Middle School is targeted to become a K-8 charter school for 963 students.
Fact: Mater Academy's Reach
Mater Academy, founded in 1998, has strong ties to Academica, a large for-profit charter management company. Academica works with more than 200 charter schools across the country, according to state business filings.
District Challenges Validity of Notices
The School District of Manatee County has publicly denied the validity of Mater Academy's notices. District officials stated that the notices were sent prematurely. They argue that the revised "Schools of Hope" statute does not become effective until October 28, and notices can only be submitted starting on November 11.
Each notice gives the school district 20 calendar days to respond. The district can object to the co-location based on "material impracticability." They can also suggest alternative underused facilities. However, Mater Academy is not required to accept these alternative proposals.
"I have several concerns. This is not something that I personally am going to take lying down."
— Heather Felton, Manatee County School Board Member
Board Member Expresses Strong Opposition
During a School Board workshop on Thursday morning, Board Member Heather Felton voiced strong disapproval. She called the notices "extremely irritated" and criticized the company for targeting these specific schools. Felton, who previously taught at the Sara Scott Harllee Center, highlighted the center's current role in housing crucial district programs.
Felton contrasted Mater Academy with what she called "homegrown charter schools" in the county. She described the notices as a "hostile takeover." She also expressed concern that outside companies could move into public facilities without bearing the associated costs, placing the financial burden on local taxpayers.
Historical Context: Lincoln Memorial Middle School
Lincoln Memorial Middle School holds significant historical importance in Manatee County. In the 1940s, the site was Lincoln Memorial High School, serving as the only high school for Black students until school integration in 1969. It later became Lincoln Middle School. In 2018, it briefly operated as a charter school before the school board terminated the charter and reclaimed the campus.
Impact on Targeted Schools and District Programs
Lincoln Memorial Middle School has a current enrollment of just over 450 students. Its capacity is 996 students. This leaves more than 500 empty seats, which Mater Academy could potentially utilize. However, district spokesperson Jamie Carson emphasized that capacity numbers do not tell the full story.
Carson noted that the Lincoln Memorial Middle campus also houses the Office of Student Assignment. It partners with Turning Points, an organization that provides rental assistance and helps with other government programs. The school also operates a Medical Magnet Program, offering healthcare-focused courses like anatomy and physiology, sports medicine, and nutrition.
The Sara Scott Harllee Center, which closed as a middle school in 2017 after receiving four consecutive "F" grades from the state, now hosts several alternative district programs. These include the School of Academic and Behavioral Learning Excellence, a short-term alternative program, and the Soar Lab, which provides "high-quality interactive learning." The center's capacity is around 900 students, but its enrollment numbers are more "fluid" due to the nature of its programs.
"Over my dead body are they going to take that building."
— Heather Felton, Manatee County School Board Member, on the Sara Scott Harllee Center
Wider Implications for Manatee County Schools
A review by Suncoast Searchlight indicates that many other Manatee County public schools could also be at risk. Data shows that 35 Manatee schools have experienced enrollment declines since the 2013-2014 school year. Of these, 28 schools saw enrollment drop by at least 10%.
Each student lost creates potential unused capacity. This unused capacity could become a target for charter schools seeking to co-locate under the "Schools of Hope" law. Examples include R. Dan Nolan and Carlos E. Haile middle schools, which have each lost a third of their students since 2013. This represents over 730 empty seats between the two schools.
Similarly, G.D. Rogers Garden-Bullock, Palma Sola, and Jessie P. Miller elementary schools have seen enrollment decrease by more than 25%. Even Manatee High School has nearly 500 fewer students.
Statewide Impact
Damaris Allen, executive director of Families for Strong Public Schools, reports that over 100 blanket notices for co-location have been sent statewide. These notices are concentrated in areas like greater Tampa Bay and South Florida.
Sarasota County Also Faces Similar Notices
Sarasota County schools also received notices from Mater Academy. Brookside Middle, Emma E. Booker Elementary, and Oak Park School were targeted. Sarasota district officials were already working on a plan to address underutilized schools, which included a proposal to close Wilkinson Elementary School.
This plan faced significant community opposition. Following the new charter notices, public school advocates in Sarasota organized an emergency parent meeting. Carol Lerner, Director of Support Our Schools, called the charter schools "squatters" and expressed doubt that they could manage so many schools.
Sarasota School Board Member Tom Edwards requested an emergency board meeting to discuss options for responding to the notices. The meeting was denied. Edwards warned that Sarasota would likely receive more such notices soon, stating, "We’re going to be inundated with (Schools of Hope) notices."
"This isn’t something people want. This isn’t something that they asked for. This is just taking away opportunities for our kids – and it creates a lot of instability… This is really going to be detrimental to our kids."
— Damaris Allen, Executive Director, Families for Strong Public Schools
District Leadership Prepares Response
Manatee School Board Chairman Chad Choate III described the current situation as "early stages." He suggested the notices might be a "fishing expedition." He emphasized the need for the board to present a unified message to the public and media.
Laurie Breslin, the district's new superintendent, assured board members that the district is ready to respond to any valid letters. She stated the district would highlight the "wonderful programs" currently housed on their campuses. Breslin expressed confidence in the district's ability to respond effectively. She added that the situation should not be viewed as an emergency for Manatee County.
The collaboration between the Manatee Herald and Suncoast Searchlight continues to monitor these developments. The goal is to provide detailed reporting on the impact of these charter school co-location efforts on public education in the region.
