NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
The top man for education in Tennessee is putting the Metro school system on notice that it's violating state law over its handling of an ongoing charter school application.
The Metro school board voted Tuesday to defer Great Hearts Academies' application, even though the state has said it must be approved.
School leaders deferred action on Great Hearts, saying they want to see Great Hearts show it has developed a diversity plan, will use licensed teachers and will open just one of five planned schools for now before its charter application is approved.
But if the district refuses to approve Great Hearts, the state could withhold funding. According to the Department of Education, Metro schools is now in violation of state law.
"We're hopeful that Metro will, going forward, comply with the law and comply with the recommendation of their own charter review committee, which unanimously recommended that Great Hearts be approved on the merits," said Ross Booher, attorney for Great Hearts.
State Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman said the department will take "appropriate action" to make sure Metro follows the law and approves Great Hearts.
A state board attorney said that could include withholding state funds from Metro schools, although leaders acknowledged that would be a last resort.
Booher said Great Hearts' commitment to coming to Nashville has not wavered during the entire application process.
"Great Hearts is committed to Nashville and is committed to providing an additional option for Nashville parents," he said.
Metro schools said it followed the law by granting a deferred approval, contingent on the diversity and certification plans.
Meanwhile, this case could add fuel to the fire in a push to change the way the state authorizes charter schools in the future.
"We saw politics in the application process in Blount County, Shelby County, Memphis and now this. When politics is engaged in it, it means the quality of the application has the potential to slip," said Matt Throckmorton, with the Tennessee Charter Schools Association.
Instead, charter school advocates want to see schools approved on merit rather than political grounds.
"We're doing the research. We'll bring that back with recommendations, and we hope to just make it a little bit better here in Tennessee," Throckmorton said.
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