Heiress Loses Her Appeal In Battle Over NYC Charter School

by Megan Cottrell · 2011-01-25 07:04:00 UTC
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In New York City, two sides are battling over the fate of one school: Ross Global Academy. Started in 2005 by the widow of Time Warner executive Steve Ross, the charter school has failed dismally when it comes to state standards.

And yet Courtney Ross and her entourage of lawyers are begging the city to keep funding the school. But last week, a state education official threw up their hands, saying they didn't have the authority to keep the school open if the city decided to close it.

Parents from the New York Charter Parents Association have thrown their lot in with the city. They started a petition on change.org to close Ross Global Academy, citing its low test scores, horrible attrition rates and high teacher turnover as reasons why the school should close.

"The students are fleeing. The teachers are fleeing," said Davids. "They're on their seventh principal in 5 years."

Davids and her group were afraid that Ross' legal team would convince the city to keep funding the school because of the founder's wealthy connections, rather than on merit.

"If this charter is to remain open, if [Ross] is able to bully the education department, this will destroy the premise of charters - that students deserve the best educational choices," said Davids.

Ross' lawyers appealed the chancellor's decision to close the school to the state. But the state said they don't have the jurisdiction to overturn a city decision.

Will the heiress' lawyers continue to fight?  “We are considering all our options but haven’t made a decision yet," said Edward J. M. Little, lawyer for Courtney Ross.

After our first post about Ross Global Academy appeared on the education page of Change.org, other city parents started another petition - asking the city to give other schools more time to prove themselves, just as time was given to  Ross Global Academy in the past. They list 25 schools slated to be closed, asking for the same flexibility for other schools.

As always with education reform, charter schools are a contentious issue. New York City parents are just looking for the same thing every parent is - the best opportunity for their child. Let's hope the students at Ross Global Academy find a new school that can meet their needs.

Photo credit: Sam Howzit

Megan Cottrell is a reporter and writer living in Chicago.

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