Commissioner to Appoint Managers for Revoked Honors Academy Charter

AUSTIN � In a move affecting an East Texas campus, Texas Commissioner of Education Michael Williams has informed leadership at Honors Academy of his decision to appoint a board of managers for the liquidation of assets and other issues. According to Williams, those issues are related to the revocation and closure of Farmers Branch-based Honors Academy and the seven campuses operating under the charter as public, accredited schools. The revocation � which became effective June 30, 2014 � affects students, parents, and teachers at all seven Honors Academy campuses, including Landmark School, also known as Leadership Academy, in Palestine.

�Because the Honors charter has been revoked, the former charter school is prohibited by law from operating as a public charter school or receiving state funds,� said Commissioner Williams in a letter to Honors Academy. �Because of the former charter school�s violations and the negative consequences to current and past students of the former charter school, I am compelled to appoint this Board to wind up its affairs.�

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) claims that the former charter school known as Honors Academy has continued to operate a de facto private school, but is falsely holding itself out as a public charter school, a violation of the Texas Education Code. In addition, the former charter school has allegedly refused to transfer its student records to TEA. According to Williams, that’s another violation that may have a negative impact on students who previously attended or currently attend Honors Academy.

According to a TEA news release, Honors Academy may request a formal review of the Commissioner�s decision to appoint a board of managers. A request for a formal review must be in writing and received by TEA no later than Nov. 21. Honors Academy did not immediately respond to a request for comment from KTBB.