15-04-2025
Preparatory academy in Pueblo wants D60 to ‘let them go'
(PUEBLO, Colo.) — A preparatory academy in Pueblo is protesting for Pueblo School District 60 (D60) to 'let them go' after the district decided not to renew the charter for the academy's schools.
In January 2025, the D60 Board of Education voted to deny the renewal of Chavez-Huerta Preparatory Academy's (CHPA) charter contract, which ends on June 30, 2025. The school board listed various reasons for the denial, such as material and contract violations, failing to meet progress toward achievement, and failing to meet accepted standards of fiscal management.
The board also claimed there was decreased enrollment that created a risk of mid-year school closure and could disrupt student learning.
'Is the school financially healthy at this time? No. Therefore, my vote will be to not renew,' said school board member Bill Thiebaut in January's meeting.
Three schools in Pueblo are under CHPA, including Cesar Chavez Academy, Erislia Cruz Middle School, and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High. In February, CHPA addressed the 'rumors' via a statement on Facebook.
'District 60 is incorrect in their statements they have made saying CHPA will cease at the end of this year,' the statement said. 'That information is false, and we are confirmed to be here next year and in the future to educate your children to make a difference in the world and our community. We have the highest graduation rate in District 60, the highest attendance rate in D60, and 2nd lowest dropout rate in D60! We also have the most Associate degrees in Pueblo with no cost to our parents. We want your child to succeed! Trust in CHPA, and we will make it happen.'
Now, the charter is trying to get D60 to 'let them go.' On Tuesday, April 8, CHPA held a demonstration in front of the D60 building to 'make a statement' about releasing CHPA after not approving their charter contract for the 2025-2026 school year.
'D60 needs to release our school in order for us to move on to another authorizer and grow with more programs such as our dual immersion and online courses for credit retrieval and much more,' CHPA wrote on Facebook. 'The district refused to let us grow with more programs, and we look forward to moving on to bigger and brighter things.'
When asked, the D60 Board of Education said that it is their policy to not comment on 'pending or contested matters'.
During the demonstration, several individuals sang 'Let it Go,' and various people spoke over the next steps the school plans to take. D60 said the board's decision was appealed to the State Board of Education on Feb. 28. According to the Colorado Department of Education, CHPA will come before the State Board of Education on Thursday, May 15.
'The State Board of Education rules control the procedures and timeline, and we are following that process,' a spokesperson with D60 said.
FOX21 News reached out to CHPA for comment but has not received a response.
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