Release of Charter School Appeals

Executive Director Recommendations

October 24, 2019

Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) § 49-13-122 allows a governing board whose charter agreement has been
revoked by a local board of education to appeal that decision to the State Board of Education. Pursuant to T.C.A.
§ 49-13-122 and State Board Policy 6.110, the State Board staff conducts a de novo, on the record, review and
holds a public hearing in the district where the charter school operates. In order to overturn the decision of the
local board of education on the revocation of a charter agreement, the State Board must find that the local
board’s decision to revoke the charter agreement was contrary to T.C.A. § 49-13-122.

In September 2019, the State Board received revocation appeals from the Governing Board of the Knowledge
Academies network for Knowledge Academy, KA @ The Crossings, and Knowledge Academy High School. The
Board will vote on the appeals at a special-called meeting on Monday, October 28, 2019. Below is the Executive
Director’s recommendation regarding these appeals. The recommendation reports include the findings of the
information from the local board of education and charter school operator, the public hearing, and public
comment. The Board will consider the Executive Director’s recommendation when rendering a decision on each
appeal, but the Board is not bound by this recommendation.

Applicant Name School District Recommendation

Knowledge Academy
KA @ The Crossings
Knowledge Academy High School
Metro Nashville Public Overturn the Metro Nashville Public Schools’ decision to
Schools revoke the charter agreement and remand the school
back for continued operation
Metro Nashville Public Overturn the Metro Nashville Public Schools’ decision to
Schools revoke the charter agreement and remand the school
back for continued operation
Metro Nashville Public Overturn the Metro Nashville Public Schools’ decision to
Schools revoke the charter agreement and remand the school
back for continued operation

While State Board staff will not be able to comment on the recommendation in advance of the upcoming
meeting, the State Board will discuss the report and vote at the special-called scheduled on October 28, 2019,
via conference call. The agenda and information for dialing in to the conference call meeting are available on the
State Board website​.

The State Board has the ability to affirm the local board’s decision to revoke or overturn the decision, in which
case the charter school shall continue to operate and the local board shall remain the chartering authority. After
State Board action on this appeal, the operator and the local board will be notified of the State Board’s vote.

For press inquiries, contact Elizabeth Tullos at (615) 961-3382 or ​Elizabeth.Tullos@tn.gov​.

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