Indiana charter network to manage F-rated Baker schools
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Two F-rated schools in Baker will be taken over by the Indiana-based GEO charter school network after a Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education committee voted 9-1 in a Tuesday meeting.
During a presentation, State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley said the Louisiana Department of Education recommended a takeover by the Recovery School District. Brumley said state law allows schools with an F rating for at least four years to be transferred to the RSD.
Two schools qualify, Baker Heights Elementary and Baker Middle School. Brumley said Baker Heights ranks 910 out of 912 elementary schools in Louisiana and Baker Middle ranks 897 out of 912 middle schools.
Baker residents ask for more clarity on their kids' education as 2 schools set to close this year
LDOE also proposed the GEO charter school network as the new operator. Brumley said their schools in Baton Rouge, including Geo Prep Academy and Geo Prep Mid City, have higher scores and growth compared to the Baker schools. Both school systems have the same student demographics, according to Brumley.
The board also approved for Baker Heights and Baker Middle to be converted into Type 5 charter schools under GEO's leadership.
Preston Castille, who represents the district Baker is in, was the only member opposed to the schools' takeover.
In a Wednesday board meeting, BESE approved the motion.
'No parent should have to send their child to a chronically failing school. Unfortunately, Baker ranks last among all Louisiana school systems. We took action for kids,' Brumley said in a statement to Louisiana First News.
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