TAMPA — Students left a Hillsborough County School Board meeting in tears Tuesday night after the board voted to pull the charter immediately for Walton Academy for the Performing Arts over safetyconcerns.
As of Wednesday morning, all 118 students would need to find a new school. The charter school for theater, dance and music has largely served economically disadvantaged and minority students for 22 years in Seminole Heights.
The packed auditorium was speckled with Walton supporters in purple shirts, including parents, teachers, faith leaders, multi-generation alumni and students.
Days before, district Superintendent Van Ayres told school leaders in a letter that he planned to recommend the board immediately terminate their charter after receiving a letter from the state Department of Education.
The state’s letter, which follows a summer of terse relations between the state and district, pointed out deficiencies in safety standards, including a lack of identified corners to seek shelter in some classrooms, an unlocked gate and an inability to activate the 911 system during a drill.
“The current state of operations at Walton Academy poses a serious risk to the health, safety, and welfare of students and staff,” the letter from the state said, asking for specific next steps, and potentially “immediate termination,” by Tuesday.
Ayres said as superintendent his top responsibility “is to ensure the safety, well being and educational integrity for every student in our district.”
“When a school fails to meet those fundamental standards, despite oversight and opportunities to improve, we must act swiftly and decisively to protect our students,” he said.
Walton Academy leaders disputed some of the state’s allegations, saying sheltering corners were clearly identified, and pointing to the initial failure of the emergency system due to a third-party vendor.
Ayres said they had been given ample opportunities to make corrections. The board said the onus for safety in the event of a school shooting or another incident ultimately fell on them. Board Chairperson Jessica Vaughn recalled how members of the Broward County school board were removed following the Parkland school shooting for their neglect of duty.
Walton had also recently faced scrutiny as the district’s only school to receive an F grade during the most recent testing period.
“We are absolutely closing it for safety, but I have some serious concerns,” board member Nadia Combs said.
Combs said 90% of students were reading below grade level and the school had a lack of certified teachers. She cited concerns about a financial audit, and questioned why the school’s co-founder, Samuel Walton — the husband to principal Tanika Walton — is the landlord of the facility.
The Waltons founded the school in 2003 seeking to create a space for performing arts education for underserved youth.
“While we can repair a building, we cannot repair the damage that will come from shutting down this school that has given life structure and inspiration to our entire community,” Walton board member Michelle Belcher said. “We understand the importance of compliance and safety. We do not minimize the standards that must be upheld. What we are asking for is time, 90 days to complete any necessary repairs and bring the facility into full compliance.”
Tracy Roth, a third gradeEnglish language arts teacher, said the school provided a safe haven of belonging.
“Our school provides more than just an education, but a place where our children feel safe, happy, secure and loved,” she said. “They depend on our security.”
Margaret Oni, a teacher and a parent of a fifth grader at Walton, said she saw the impact the tight-knit school community had on students, and felt her child was safe.
“Our school has stood as more than just a building,” she said. “It’s been a cornerstone of this community, especially for our Black and brown families. Generations of children have walked through our doors and found teachers who look like them, believe in them and push them to achieve more than they ever thought possible.”
One parent talked about how her daughter found her voice and passion for dance there. Another spoke about how teachers stayed after hours with their kids to help them catch up to the rest of the class’ levels.
The district called all students’ parents prior to the meeting.
Marcos Murillo, the district’s chief of innovation and strategic planning, identified four nearby elementary schools — Mendenhall, Oak Grove, Seminole Heights and Broward — as options for parents, but said the choice office could facilitate placement elsewhere in the county, including at other performing arts schools. Regional superintendents have advised schools to allow for immediate enrollment if Walton students show up.
Fifth grader Jayce Bey asked his mother to read a letter to the board for him.
“If it’s going down, it’s not going down without a fight,” the letter said.
After the board’s unanimous vote, many walked out stunned and in tears.
Principal Tanika Watson hugged Bey and other students and parents outside, reassuring them things would be okay.
Florida law allows the school 10 days to file a formal appeal, and a hearing and final decision must occurwithin 60 days.
Amid hugs, Watson said the school intended to formally appeal on Wednesday.
“Like the young kid said, we’re going to fight.”
Divya Kumar is a reporter covering education as a member of the Tampa Bay Times Education Hub. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund byclicking here.