New Leadership Charter School to close

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - New Leadership Charter School on Alderman Street in Springfield announced Wednesday it will not renew its charter license and the school will close its doors after this school year.

Meaning all teachers and students will have to find a new classroom next school year.

Board of Trustees Chair Peter Daboul told 22News the state said it was going to recommend not renewing its charter and after evaluating their finances, they agreed. “The lack of flexibility that we have particularly on the financial and facility side; the last two years for example, we incurred a debt of a half million dollars.”

The school currently operates as a Horace Mann Charter School. It's a model the board says, simply, isn't working for them.

Daboul said they will apply for a commonwealth charter, which he says may work better; the earliest that could take effect is 2014.

The hundreds of students will likely be absorbed into Springfield public schools; teachers will have to find a new position although nothing is guaranteed.

New Leadership's principal, Trevor Christopher, just started his job a few weeks ago. He wouldn't comment on the charter but hopes parents get involved. “I'll be at the meeting tonight and it's important we encourage all parents to be there so they can get firsthand what their position is.”

Azell Cavaan, spokesperson for the Springfield Public Schools, told 22News "Springfield Public Schools stands ready to absorb New Leadership Charter School students who reside in Springfield and may choose to enroll in our school system. In the coming weeks, our district will reach out to NLCS parents with letters explaining the details of our school boundary plan, magnet school options and high school choice process."