With support, charter group leaders have 'lot of hope' for Macon school's future

Macon Charter Academy leaders are slowly working their way through a series of challenges that have threatened the school's future, but much remains to be done before the school is in the clear.

"I see a lot of hope for their immediate future," Tony Roberts, CEO of the Georgia Charter Schools Association, said after a visit with three of MCA's five board members, as well as the principal and assistant principal Thursday afternoon.

Roberts said he is encouraged by the board's "openness and willingness" to do "whatever it takes" to make the school a success for its students.

"I really liked the commitment and the honesty -- and everything I experienced with them," he said. "It was great."

The next steps, Roberts said, will include the association's providing "real charter school board training" to the school's board as well as an on-site assessment.

Initial training provided by the National Charter Schools Institute did not provide enough Georgia-specific education law as it relates to charter schools, Roberts said, and that prompted the board to seek more training.

Roberts said the association will have people at the school for three days "looking at every aspect of the school's operation," from academics to finances.

Then, he said, they'll deliver the results to school leaders as a "mini accreditation" that will also lay out MCA's "path to improve."

The Georgia Department of Education will be picking up the tab.

Lonnicia Maxwell, MCA's board chairwoman, said the meeting with the association was productive.

"We have set some firm timelines and look forward to working closely with Tony Roberts and his team," she said. "We are extremely honored to have this opportunity to move the needle in the right direction for our MCA scholars."

Once the school is past its immediate hurdles, Maxwell has asked Roberts to help the school develop a strategic plan for the future.

The state DOE put the school on probation in September following a report in The Telegraph about complaints from parents and employees alike, from the school's academics and discipline to overall operations.

MCA was required to provide a corrective action plan, which was submitted about a week later.

Bibb school Superintendent Curtis Jones said the outward appearances of MCA, so far, are good.

"They are making progress," he said. "They are moving in the right direction."

The next question the district will need to answer, he said, is whether it believes students are safe and are getting an appropriate education.

"And are they making the type of progress that will indicate that they can continue to operate?" Jones asked, adding that the district will be making another visit itself sometime this week.

ENROLLMENT DECLINE

While MCA has been working toward correcting its deficiencies, its enrollment has dropped by almost 100 students since it was put on probation.

As of Friday, the school had a count of 579 students, according to Bibb's Infinite Campus system -- down from 669, the school's enrollment the day it was placed on probation.

Maxwell said MCA has made "necessary adjustments in the operating budget" to reflect the decrease in enrollment -- such as reducing on-site information technology support following the completion of installations.

Enrollment, she also said, "is one of the targeted areas of opportunity that we have discussed with GCSA as we move forward with the development of our strategic plan with Tony Roberts and his team."

The drop in enrollment gives "some concern" to school district officials, because the head count determines how much state funding MCA receives.

"Each month we have to send them a check for operations," Jones said, adding that a school with a fluctuating enrollment can make that task difficult.

He added that the district will "look and see where they are in December," then start adjusting how much money MCA receives after that.

Even given its difficulties, some parents have remained loyal to the school and its vision.

"Despite the struggles so far with the school on an administrative level, my daughter has had a very positive experience with both of her teachers and all of her new friends, and for that reason she will remain enrolled," Zack Kephart, an MCA parent, said. "I certainly hope that the school is able to find success, because there is a clear need for more strong schools here in Macon."

Lou Erste, an associate state superintendent responsible for charter schools, said the DOE is still evaluating the school's improvement plan submitted last month, but added that state leaders are confident the MCA board is on a path "to resolving the issues enumerated in the probation letter."

He also expressed encouragement with the work MCA is just beginning to start with the charter schools group.

"Once that work is done, we will consider the proposed plan and provide feedback to the governing board," he said.

To contact writer David Schick, call 744-4832 or find him on Twitter:note>

This story was originally published October 31, 2015 at 8:39 PM with the headline "With support, charter group leaders have 'lot of hope' for Macon school's future ."