ORLANDO, Fla. — Parents face uncertainty after more than 200 kids were suddenly forced to change schools after Legends Academy Charter School in Orlando closed in December, citing financial challenges.
What You Need To Know
Legends Academy Charter School in Orlando closed on Dec. 31, citing financial challenges
On Monday, parents stopped by the school to pick up their paperwork to work on enrolling their kids at a new school
Some parents are looking at other charter or private schools, while others are switching to public school
Orange County Public Schools said they are assisting families this week to make the transition
Parents are sad and upset, but there isn’t time to dwell on it too much because there is work to do as they scramble to figure out where they can get their kids into a new school at the last minute.
On Monday morning, there was a line of parents waiting to get into Legends Academy one last time.
“I just needed the withdrawal forms,” said Dechandra Dudley, who had three kids enrolled at the school.
She said her kids thrived in the environment the charter school created.
“Till this day, my 8th grader still cries,” Dudley said.
But the new year brings a new challenge.
“They have never been in public school at all, all their life. Never,” Dudley said.
On short notice, Orange County Public Schools is the only option for her family.
“Because I work, any other charter school that actually reached out to me that has openings, my daycare can’t make it to them so I don’t have anyone to pick them up so they will go to their zoned schools for the remainder of this year,” Dudley said.
Other parents are spending the week going to other charter and private schools.
“Nobody was expecting this. Nobody was prepared,” said Narri Murphy, who had one student at Legends Academy.
Her cousin, Jakara Williams, also had two children enrolled in the school. The two mothers want their kids to stay in school together, wherever that is.
“Try to have A, B, C, D plan if this doesn’t work, go to B, just trying to get them to school, so the plan this week is to try to get them somewhere that we feel is the best for the kids,” Williams said.
The Orange County Public School System is assisting families and parents, and faculty from Legends has offered to help, even as many of those employees scramble to find a new job.
“We have been praying, and we are going to continue to pray,” Murphy said.
Parents say that they wish they had known the school was in financial trouble so they could have tried to help save it.
The school board sent a statement:
“For nearly 25 years, Legends Academy has been a place of learning, growth, and community for students and families, made possible by the dedication of its educators and staff. After careful review of the school’s financial condition and long-term viability, the Board of Directors made the difficult decision to close the school due to unsustainable financial challenges. This decision was not made lightly and does not diminish the impact the school has had on generations of families. The Board is working closely with the School District to complete the required closure process and support families as they plan next steps.”
Spectrum News 13 anchor Curtis McCloud is a member of the board at Legends Academy. He recused himself and was not part of the vote to close the school.