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VOLUME 121 | ISSUE 3
WEEK OF JANUARY 18, 2024
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Charter school group facing legal challenge Group fires management that helped launch schools in Brighton, Lone Tree BY ERICA BREUNLIN THE COLORADO SUN
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A Colorado charter school network in December fired the management group that helped it launch four schools across the state, triggering a chaotic series of events that included the dismissal of more than 300 employees, swift action to rehire all staff under a new management group and, now, a potential lawsuit. Ascent Classical Academy Charter Schools — the governing board over charter schools serving nearly 2,000 students in Lone Tree, Brighton, Windsor and Grand Junction — terminated its contract early with management organization Ascent Classical Academies, which is a Goldenbased nonprofit with a similar name that establishes and operates charter schools. Both the governing board and parents say the schools have faced multiple challenges with ACA over the past six years since their first school began operating in Lone Tree, including high turnover among school leaders and teachers and debates over what curriculum to use. The board in September unanimously voted to end its contract with ACA on June 30, 2024, “contingent upon continued cooperation by ACA,” SEE LAWSUIT, P14
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