JOHNSTOWN —
A troubled cyber school with a Johnstown learning center is about to lose its state accreditation.
Philadelphia-based Frontier Virtual Charter High School was presented Monday with the “notice of revocation of charter” by the Department of Education, The Tribune-Democrat has learned.
Frontier’s failure to properly educate its students or comply with its own charter and state laws goes “beyond the difficulties expected during the first year of the operation of a new charter school,” Education Secretary Ronald J. Tomalis wrote in the revocation notice.
“In any combination, Frontier’s violations are severe and pervasive,” the document continues.
“Moreover, it is evident that Frontier cannot provide education to students who may enroll in the 2012-2013 school year or any future school year.”
A final hearing on the revocation is scheduled for July 23 in Harrisburg.
A local supporter says the charter revocation is too extreme.
“Frontier is a young school,” the Rev. Joseph McGauley III said. “I know there are other charter schools who are worse.”
McGauley is pastor of Jefferson Memorial First Born Church, 325 William Penn Ave., in the Prospect section of Johnstown. The church hosts one of two “learning centers” for Frontier. The other is in Philadelphia.
Although the cyber charter schools may offer some instruction at physical locations, the Johnstown learning center was not a substitute for providing students with computers, monitors, printers and Internet connections promised in Frontier’s charter, the notice said.
Frontier’s troubles came to light in March when state officials arrived at the school’s Philadelphia headquarters for a scheduled visit. Despite two months’ warning, school leaders did not provide the review team with access to Frontier’s teachers, the documents said.
In fact, the entire teaching staff and principal were furloughed on March 9, the day after the state review.
The Education Department reviewers found that Frontier was not monitoring its students’ attendance or completion of required work.
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