The Ohio Department of Education has struck a deal with the Cleveland Transformation Alliance to move forward with the opening of two new charter schools in the city.
The Transformation Alliance did not review the schools before the July 1 st approval date. Under the 2012 Cleveland Plan, the Alliance is allowed to advise on charter school sponsors within the city. The Department of Education has given them another month, until August 11 th, to make recommendations.
Kathryn Upton, with the Fordham foundation, which is sponsoring one of the charter schools, says they’re not worried:
"We’ve received a list of clarifying questions that the Transformation Alliance would like to have, and we are working on providing that data to them. And we are confident that the school will move forward."
Fordham is sponsoring the Citizen’s Academy middle school. Orchard Park Academy -- a new primary school -- is sponsored by St. Aloysius Orphanage. Classes start August 14 th.