Latest news with #CHPA
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Chavez Huerta Preparatory Academy announces official closure despite appeals
(PUEBLO, Colo.) — Chavez Huerta Preparatory Academy (CHPA) has announced its official closure after its repeated appeals to stay open were denied by both Pueblo School District 60 (D60) and the Colorado Board of Education. Parents and guardians who had students in CHPA received a letter from the CHPA Board of Directors announcing that the closure would be effective Monday, June 30. CHPA's charter contract with D60 ends that same day. While we continue to hold out hope that something may yet change to allow CHPA to continue serving students, we must now shift our focus to ensuring a thoughtful and compassionate transition for our students, families, and dedicated staff. For over 25 years, CHPA has stood as a beacon of excellence, opportunity, and cultural pride—an institution that has empowered generations of students to rise, lead, and succeed not only here in Pueblo, but in communities around the world. That legacy will not be forgotten. It lives on in every graduate, every family touched, and every life changed by the work done within these walls. While we will never agree with the decision made by District 60, we recognize the broader challenges that public education is facing across our region and our nation. Our students—no matter the district or school they attend—deserve our unwavering commitment and collective support. As a community, we must rise above division and ensure that every child is met with care, quality education, and the promise of a bright future. Chavez Huerta Preparatory Academy Board of Directors D60's Board of Education initially denied the preparatory school's charter contract in January due to reasons that included material and contract violations, failing to meet progress toward achievement, and failing to meet accepted standards of fiscal management. A month later, Chavez Huerta appealed to the State Board of Education and appeared before them on Thursday, May 15. During the May hearing, the State Board of Education sided with D60 with a 7-1 vote. The State Board also noted the charter had various issues. 'The leadership of Pueblo School District 60 and Chavez Huerta Preparatory Academy met earlier this week to begin the transition process for school closure. This transition meeting is required per Colorado Statute, the Charter Contract, and D60 Board Policy to ensure a smooth transition for students and families,' D60 said in a statement. 'The school closure follows years of improper fiscal management and financial instability at the charter school. D60 is committed to assisting CHPA throughout this process and welcomes the opportunity to partner with families as we support all students in our community throughout the enrollment process.' D60 released a letter on May 20 to CHPA families, where they detailed how to find their neighborhood school and enroll their children. Chavez Huerta was established in 2004, with three schools in Pueblo: Cesar Chavez Academy, Erislia Cruz Middle School, and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
D60 Board of Education denies Chavez-Huerta's request to switch to different chartering authority
(PUEBLO, Colo.) — Pueblo School District 60's (D60) Board of Education reviewed a request from Chavez-Huerta Preparatory Academy (CHPA) that requested D60 let them apply at a different chartering authority. Earlier this year, D60's Board of Education voted to deny the renewal of CHPA's charter contract, which ends June 30, 2025. The school board listed multiple reasons for the denial, such as failing to meet accepted standards of fiscal management, material and contract violations, and a decreased enrollment that created a risk of mid-year school closure and could disrupt student learning. The charter addressed the 'rumors' with a statement via Facebook in February, where they alleged D60 was 'incorrect' in their statements. Due to the denial, CHPA wanted D60 to 'let them go' and even held a demonstration on April 8 in front of the D60 building to 'make a statement' about releasing CHPA to another chartering authority. During the demonstration, several individuals sang 'Let it Go,' and various people spoke over the next steps the school plans to take. On Monday, April 28, D60 denied CHPA's request, 3-2, to submit a charter application to the Charter School Institute. According to the Colorado Department of Education, CHPA will come before the State Board of Education to appeal D60's initial decision. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
