Heritage Academy

“Clock ticking for students, teachers at failing Flagler charter school.” Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL), 3/15/2012

PALM COAST -- School officials are determining the next steps for Heritage Academy, a Bunnell charter school slated to be closed this spring.

The Flagler County School Board reaffirmed after a formal hearing Tuesday that it will shut down the long-troubled school as planned. Heritage recently received its second consecutive F grade from the state, violating its contract. Board members voted in January to close the school...

Tuesday's hearing may be the final chapter in Heritage's troubled history. The former Cornerstone Elementary and Summit Academy middle school opened with 506 students in 2004. Heritage High School opened the following school year.

Board members voted in 2009 not to renew the charters of Cornerstone and Summit, citing high turnover of school administration officials, infrequent governing board meetings and an inability to hand in financial reports and other important documents on time. Founder Doug Jackson appealed the decision and board members ultimately allowed the schools to merge with Heritage High School to form Heritage Academy.

Heritage's parent company, School Management Solutions, also runs DeLand's Boston Avenue Charter School. That school received a D from the state for the last school year and an F the year before. Boston Avenue's contract expires this year and Volusia County school officials are reviewing the school's track record to prepare a recommendation to the School Board about whether to renew the charter. Based on FCAT scores, it's the lowest-performing Volusia elementary school.

Like Boston Avenue, Heritage has struggled academically for years. It's the only Flagler school that has received an F since the state started handing out grades in 1999...