The state Board of Education agreed on Thursday to keep Lighthouse Academy charter school in Pine Bluff open.
The board approved a renewal of the school’s charter, or contract, with the state for a three-year period, and ordered the school to submit annual reports on the progress it makes to improve academic performance.
In December, the state Charter Authorizing Panel voted 3-2 to deny renewal, effective June 30, because of D and F letter grades given to the upper and lower schools. The state Education Board held a hearing on the renewal issue Thursday at Lighthouse Academy’s request.
The state board also:
• Rejected Haas Hall charter school system’s report on diversity, saying administrators must return to the state board in April with a revised, more responsive report.
• Decided to consider whether Covenant Keepers charter school in Little Rock can be run by a different organization.
Read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.