Parents at Ascent Classical Academy in Rock Hill, South Carolina, are planning a walkout to protest what they describe as mismanagement, high staff turnover, and a lack of resources. The demonstration follows the recent firing of the school's headmaster and growing concerns over the leadership of its management organization, Ascent Classical Academies.
Key Takeaways
- Parents at Ascent Classical Academy of Rock Hill are organizing a walkout to protest school management.
- Major concerns include high staff turnover, the recent firing of a beloved headmaster, and unfulfilled promises on staffing ratios.
- The school's management company, Ascent Classical Academies, has a documented history of similar issues at its former schools in Colorado.
- A new interim headmaster is linked to a federal lawsuit alleging mismanagement at a different charter school in North Carolina.
Growing Unrest at Rock Hill Campus
Ascent Classical Academy of Rock Hill, which opened in August 2023 for students in kindergarten through ninth grade, is experiencing significant internal challenges. Parents who initially supported the school's mission are now voicing frustration over persistent operational problems.
Concerns escalated at the start of the current school year. One parent reported that their child's teacher resigned the night before classes began. More recently, an email from the school announced the departure of three upper school teachers in a single week.
Background on Ascent in South Carolina
Ascent Classical Academies, led by CEO Derec Shuler, received unanimous approval from the Charter Institute at Erskine in April 2023 to operate four charter schools in South Carolina. The Rock Hill location is the first to open, currently using a temporary facility while searching for a permanent site in Fort Mill.
Controversial Leadership Changes Spark Outcry
The situation intensified with the recent termination of Headmaster Ryan Mullins, a classical education veteran with 23 years of experience who was highly regarded by the school community. A kindergarten teacher was also reportedly fired around the same time.
"All these people are very well loved, and so the parents are extremely frustrated and concerned," one parent told FITSNews, who first reported the story.
Ascent management appointed Jennifer Mognett as the interim headmaster. This decision has been met with apprehension from parents, who point to her connection with a federal lawsuit filed in December 2023. The lawsuit involves the Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy (BCLA) in North Carolina, where Mognett was an administrator. The suit alleges mismanagement, including a negligent response to a student assault and chronic understaffing.
Some parents noted that Mognett’s presence at the Rock Hill campus prior to Mullins's firing had already created unease among staff. One parent said she was asking inquisitive questions about the school culture and personnel, which made employees feel a sense of job insecurity.
A Pattern of Problems
The issues at the Rock Hill school mirror those experienced at charter schools previously run by Ascent Classical Academies in Colorado. The management group's contract in Colorado was terminated early by the schools' governing board due to similar complaints.
Colorado Precedent
According to reporting by The Colorado Sun, the Colorado schools managed by Ascent experienced "high turnover among school leaders and teachers." A parent from the Colorado school, Annie Kaess, told the publication, "It seemed like they were more focused on the growth of their network than the health of their school."
Amy Willis, Ascent's chief marketing officer, confirmed that the company is a plaintiff in ongoing litigation related to the breach of contract from its separation with the Colorado schools.
"I am pulling my daughter out on Tuesday for the walkout, and she will not be going back as long as Ascent Classical Academy is in control," parent Renee Turbiano stated.
Turbiano, whose children attended Ascent's Colorado schools, initially advocated for the group in South Carolina. However, her perspective changed after she substitute taught at the Rock Hill campus and observed significant resource shortages.
Resource and Staffing Shortages
Parents allege that the school is failing to provide adequate resources for students and teachers. These claims directly contradict promises made in the school's charter application.
Elizabeth Knight, another parent planning to join the walkout, highlighted a key discrepancy. "In the charter application for the school, it states clearly that they are going to use teachers and teacher aides so that they have a ratio of one to sixteen at most," Knight said. "Instead, we have one teacher aide at the school that’s shared across kindergarten and first grade, so that ratio has not been maintained."
This understaffing has led to other issues. One parent noted that the music teacher was reassigned to teach a third-grade class, leaving the school without a music program for the entire first quarter.
Budgetary Questions Arise
Parent Renee Turbiano raised questions about the school's finances after her experience as a substitute. She said she was told by then-Headmaster Mullins that he wanted to hire several teacher's aides but was informed by management that it was not in the budget.
Turbiano also recalled a conversation with the school's dean, Christina Holzer, who allegedly said, "We can’t even buy science lab equipment." This prompted Turbiano to ask, "Where’s this money going? What is going on here?"
The frustration is aimed primarily at the corporate management level, not the local school staff. "These teachers are doing the best they can with way too many students in the classroom," Knight added. "Still, (the staff shortage) affects the education."
Parents Plan Action
The planned walkout represents a significant escalation in the conflict between parents and the Ascent Classical Academies management organization. For some families, the decision is a permanent one.
Turbiano said the choice to leave has been difficult for her daughter, who was thriving socially and academically. "She’s crying now that she’s never going to see her friends again," she said.
Despite the personal cost, Turbiano feels compelled to act, especially with Ascent's plans to open more schools in the state, including a location purchased in Columbia. "I am going to fight because... I do not want them to be around any children," she stated.
Ascent Classical Academies has reportedly shared a message with parents regarding the staff turnover. The Charter Institute at Erskine, which authorizes the school, has not yet issued a public comment on the matter.
