It looks like it’s the end of the line for the controversial Princeton International Academy Charter School (PIACS), barring a successful court appeal.
The state Department of Education on July 16 turned down a request for a one-year extension that would allow the Mandarin language charter school to get up and running.
PIACS has been granted extensions in the last two years, but the school — opposed by school officials in West Windsor-Plainsboro, Princeton, and South Brunswick –– has been unable to find a home.
“The school has failed to make even minimal progress toward compliance with criteria necessary to gain final approval,” said Christopher Cerf, DOE acting commissioner, in a letter to PIACS denying the extension.
Cerf indicates that the DOE’s decision can be appealed to the state Superior Court Appellate Division.
Bonnie Liao, PIACS’ lead founder and board chair, said in an E-mail that the board would meet on Thursday, July 26, to determine the its next move.
The primary reason WW-P officials oppose PIACS is money — the district would have to reimburse PIACS for children from Plainsboro or West Windsor who attend the school. WW-P officials have estimated that it could cost the district more than $1.2 million if the school were allowed to open.
WW-P School Board President Hemant Marathe said he is happy with the state’s action. “This decision is in the best interest of the students and taxpayers of West Windsor and Plainsboro. This will allow us to better plan our budget in future years without the threat of over a $1 million dollar expense hanging over our head. I hope the governor and legislature will have a meaningful discussion regarding necessity of charter schools.”
The state Department of Education granted planning extensions for PIACS for the 2010-’11 and 2011-’12 school years to give it time to find a home. The school’s proposal to locate in Saint Joseph’s Seminary on Mapleton Road was rejected by Plainsboro in 2010, and the South Brunswick Zoning Board voted down a plan to open the school in an office park at 12 Perrine Road in March.
