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Schools

'Credible Evidence' Lacking in Fulton's Charter Termination Ruling

The state Board of Education told the Fulton County School Board to hold a hearing to show evidence that supports ending Fulton Science Academy High School's charter contract.

The Fulton County Board of Education will once again take up the issue of Fulton Science Academy High School’s charter.

The state Board of Education on Friday voted to send the case back to the local board, citing insufficient evidence for it to uphold the Fulton Board’s termination of the school’s charter.

“Because we do not have any credible evidence before us, this appeal is hereby remanded back to the Local Board to conduct a hearing in which credible evidence is obtained that will permit the State Board of Education to make an informed decision regarding the continuation of the charter of FSAHS,” Helen Odom Rice, acting vice chair for appeals, wrote in the board’s decision.

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The Fulton County Board of Education last December voted to close FSA High School following a recommendation by Superintendent Robert Avossa to terminate the school’s charter. An independent audit released to the school board on Dec. 4 was said to show the Fulton School System has had concerns with the school throughout its seven-year history.

Earlier this year, FSA High School officials appealed to the state, asking the state Board of Education to keep the school’s doors open.

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"On behalf of parents, students and faculty of Fulton Science Academy High School, I appreciate the State School Board’s careful consideration of the issues related to the school's charter,” Maria Beug-Deeb, chairman of FSA High School's Governing Board, said in a statement. “We are committed to working with the Fulton County School Board to fully resolve this matter."

Though FSA High School’s charter through the Fulton County Board of Education is still in limbo, school officials currently are seeking a charter from a different state agency. The school has applied for a charter through the State Charter Commission. A decision on that application is expected in October. If approved, it would go into effect for the 2014-2015 school year.

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