Introduction to the Controversy
A Miami-based charter school operator has made a formal request to co-locate rent-free on the campuses of 27 Broward schools, initiating what one state legislator described as a “land grab” that could hurt public schools. Roberto C. Blanch, president of Miami-based Mater Academy, sent 27 letters to Superintendent Howard Hepburn on Wednesday informing him that the charter school provider wants to open charters known as “Schools of Hope” on various campuses starting in August 2027.
The Expansion and Its Implications
Broward isn’t the only district that received letters. Sarasota and Hillsborough and several others have received similar requests by Mater, according to State Rep. Robin Bartleman, D-Weston, who fought against the state law. “This is a power grab, a real estate grab for charter school companies, and now this one company has submitted applications across the state,” Bartleman told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Thursday. “You’re going to be able to co-locate your business with no expenses, and it’s the children who are in the traditional public schools that are going to be impacted because they are going to be paying for it.”
Mater Academy’s Plans
Mater also wants to operate at Everglades City School in Collier County, according to a letter the provider erroneously sent to Broward. The Miami-Dade School District received an email from Mater referencing an attachment “that supposedly referred to what they were proposing,” but the email didn’t actually have an attachment,” district spokesman Elmo Lugo told the Sun Sentinel. Bartleman said that in the past, if a charter school wanted to locate on a traditional school campus, the district could charge $600 per student for expenses. The new law only allows districts to collect some capital dollars that charter schools might receive from the state. “And that’s not enough,” she said.
Schools of Hope Program
Schools of Hope is a program created in 2017 to encourage charter schools to operate near low-performing district-run schools. Mater operates three such Schools of Hope in Miami-Dade County. But this year, the program was dramatically expanded to allow approved Schools of Hope providers to operate rent-free on the same campuses as district schools if there is room. Mater is one of six operators approved by the state to run Schools of Hope. The law even allows charter schools to open on the campuses of certain high-performing schools that are near one designated by the state as “persistently low-performing” based on several years of poor student achievement. A School of Hope also can operate within an “opportunity zone,” a federal distinction given to regions considered economically distressed.
Reaction from Broward Officials
Bartleman said the expansion onto existing school campuses wasn’t even initially heard by the Florida Senate, but got added to a giant bill and approved “in the dead of night” on the last day of the legislative session. Broward only has six schools designated as “persistently low performing,” far fewer than the number of Schools of Hope that Mater is seeking to operate. And only two — Walker Elementary in Fort Lauderdale and Tedder Elementary in Pompano Beach — are on Mater’s list. The other four such schools are Robert C. Markham Elementary in Pompano Beach, Royal Palm Elementary in Lauderhill, Charles Drew Elementary in Pompano Beach and Lloyd Estates Elementary in Oakland Park. Lloyd Estates is near James Rickards Middle School, which is going through an $82 million replacement due to a 2021 roof collapse.
Analysis and Next Steps
“We are currently analyzing which schools might potentially qualify under the criteria,” John Sullivan, chief of staff and communications for the district, told the Sun Sentinel. “However, we already know that several schools will not be eligible, either because they do not meet one of the rule’s criteria or because they lack available space, being fully utilized for special needs, alternative education, or workforce education programs.” Blanch’s letter to the Broward superintendent said that any district objection “must be based on material impracticability and made within the statutory timeline after receipt of this Notice. The district may propose an alternate underused/vacant/surplus facility; however, acceptance remains at the operator’s discretion. Absent a timely objection, our selection becomes final and we will promptly execute the required Shared Facility Plan and Mutual Management Plan.”
Impact on Technical Colleges
Some of the schools he listed are neither low-performing nor low-enrolled. These include the district’s three A-rated technical colleges, Atlantic in Pompano Beach, McFatter in Davie and Sheridan in Hollywood. Broward officials say these programs have a waiting list, so the district is looking to expand to more locations. Sullivan told School Board members in an email Wednesday afternoon that Mater is citing a Florida Board of Education rule that is still being developed and has not yet been adopted. “However, we should anticipate receiving similar letters from Schools of Hope operators once the rule becomes effective,” Sullivan wrote.
Community Reaction
Wednesday’s letter came a day after the Broward School Board agreed to close at least six schools and close off educational spaces in many others that will remain open as part of an effort to deal with dwindling enrollment called “Redefining Broward County Public Schools.” Board members say they plan to find other uses for these sites, such as office space for its employees or leased space for cities and community organizations. Several board members have said they are reluctant to give up space to charter schools, which could siphon off students and resources from district-run schools. The Schools of Hope request is creating a lot of uncertainty in the Miramar and Pembroke areas, said School Board member Rebecca Thompson, who represents the district. “I think my main focus would be community education about what this means and how that’s going to be impacting our decisions going forward, especially with redefining,” Thompson said. “And I think it’s really important for the community to understand that once these Schools of Hope operators move in, we don’t have any control over what they do.”
Proposed Schools
Here are the schools that Mater Academy has proposed sharing space with in Broward:
— Atlantic Technical High School, Pompano Beach
— Bright Horizons Center, Pompano Beach
— Broward Estates Elementary, Lauderhill (now a pre-K)
— Charles Drew Resource Center, Pompano Beach
— Coral Springs Elementary
— Fairway Elementary, Miramar
— Hollywood Central Elementary
— James Rickards Middle, Oakland Park
— Mary M Bethune Elementary, Hollywood
— McFatter Technical College & High School, Davie
— McNicol Middle, Hollywood
— Miramar Elementary
— North Side Elementary, Fort Lauderdale
— Palm Cove Elementary, Pembroke Pines
— Panther Run Elementary, Pembroke Pines
— Parkway Middle, Lauderhill
— Pines Middle, Pembroke Pines (now a 6-12)
— Sheridan Technical High School, Hollywood
— Silver Lakes Elementary, Miramar
— Silver Shores Elementary, Miramar
— Tamarac Elementary
— Tedder Elementary, Pompano Beach
— The Quest Center, Hollywood
— Thurgood Marshall Elementary, Fort Lauderdale
— Walker Elementary, Fort Lauderdale
— Whiddon-Rogers Education Center, Fort Lauderdale
— Wingate Oaks Center, Lauderhill
Conclusion
The proposal by Mater Academy to open Schools of Hope on 27 Broward campuses has sparked controversy and raised concerns among district officials and community members. The expansion of the Schools of Hope program has significant implications for public schools, and the district must carefully consider the potential impact on its students, resources, and facilities. As the district navigates this complex issue, it is essential to prioritize community education and involvement to ensure that the needs of all stakeholders are taken into account.
FAQs
Q: What is the Schools of Hope program?
A: The Schools of Hope program is a state initiative that encourages charter schools to operate near low-performing district-run schools.
Q: How many schools has Mater Academy proposed to share space with in Broward?
A: Mater Academy has proposed to share space with 27 schools in Broward.
Q: What are the concerns about the Schools of Hope program?
A: Concerns include the potential impact on public schools, the lack of control over charter schools, and the uncertainty about logistics and security.
Q: What is the next step for the district?
A: The district must analyze which schools might qualify under the criteria and consider any objections or proposals for alternate facilities.
Q: How can community members get involved?
A: Community members can stay informed about the issue, attend school board meetings, and participate in community education initiatives to ensure their voices are heard.
