11/16/2023 0 Comments Torchlight academy news![]() ![]() McQueen contends the former Heritage leader paid July and August rents on the school facility in Windsor to force Three Rivers to find new space to start the 2019-20 school year. In a report to CSAB, McQueen described a tumultuous 2018-19 school year at Three Rivers, contending that it was sabotaged b y the school’s ex-leader, K ashi Bazemore. Under the best of circumstances, McQueen would have his hands full managing existing charters under his control, and as many as four others he could end up managing if they are approved by the State Board of Education. I’m way more comfortable with letting this one stay open than I am with opening a new one.” “He’ s got a new school opening and he’s still got Torchlight and six schools on the table. “ When I look at this school, he’s now a one – man band, ” Turner said. McQueen’s two partners eventually sold their interest in the firm to McQueen.ĬSAB member Cheryl Turner said she’s more comfortable allowing Three River s to stay open than approving new charters managed by McQueen. Perhaps, McQueen’s load would be lighter had the original partnership that took over Three Rivers stayed intact. “ Don’s putting a heavy weight on his back here. ![]() “ I don’t get to vote, but I’m troubled that we’re going to consider allowing this to continue at the same time we’re going to consider potentially opening some other schools ,” Maimone said. The CSAB, which advises the SBE on charter policy and applications, has recommend ed that the school be allowed another year to meet growth goals. The State Board of Education could decide next month whether to hold T h r e e Rivers accountable or to allow it to remain open. Īs part of the assumption agreement, students were required to m eet or exceed growth for the school to remain open. ![]() The sch ool was taken over and reopened as Three Rivers Academy by McQueen’s Global Education Resources, a management firm he owns with two partners. Three Rivers is the former Heritage Leadership Academy, which lost its charter in 2017 due to poor performance and a “persistent pattern” of noncompliance, according to state records. “ I believe it ’ s about pedagogy, the culture, about the things we bring to the school system, the ideals. “ I don’t believe it ’ s strictly about the test score ,” McQueen replied. “ Are these kids better off where they are now?” Department of Public Instruction and a non-voting member of CSAB, asked at a recent board meeting. “ Can you stand up there confidently and tell us that these 80 kids from last year are better off having been at that school and continuing with that school given that six out of those 80 were proficient last year ? ” Joe Maimone, chief of staff for the N.C. Meanwhile, 46.6 percent of students attending Bertie County schools were proficient in reading and math. Only 8.6 percent of students were grade-level proficient in reading and mathematics. The school received an “F” letter grade on state report cards and its students did not meet growth projections. ![]() One big part of what’s giving the CSAB pause is t he poor p erformance of McQueen -managed Three River s Academy in Bertie County. ĬSAB members are worr ied D on McQueen, executive director of Torchlight Academy, won’t be able to juggle current responsibilities with future ones, which could include management of several new charters seek ing state approval. Don McQueen, executive director of Torchlight AcademyĪ n ambitious Raleigh charter school operator’s rapid expan sion into the management side of the business has members of the state’s Charter School Advisory Board (CSAB) concerned. ![]()
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