Thea Bowman loses charter

Group turns to Calumet College to save school

The Thea Bowman Leadership Academy, one of the oldest charter schools in Gary, lost its charter Wednesday and has pivoted toward a new authorizer to keep its doors open.

The school said it’s appealing the revocation, but unless the school finds an authorizer, its extension expires in June 2024.

Its charter sponsor, Education One at Trine University in Angola, rejected Bowman’s bid for a renewal by a 3-0 vote citing high staff turnover, declining enrollment and academics. It previously placed the school on probationary status.

“Unfortunately, we’re now halfway through the school year and we’ve seen no evidence of improvement in regards to the noted deficiencies,” said Lindsay Omlor, executive director for Education One in a statement. “What’s even more disappointing is that the TBLA board has now decided to seek charter authorization with another entity, as opposed to rectifying their deficiencies, which speaks to another issue altogether.”

As reported by Indiana Chalkbeat, Omlor said staff turnover this year was over 50%. She said enrollment dropped to 1,200 students seven years ago to about 850 this year.

Omlor said the K-12 school, at 3401 W. 5th Ave., failed to meet overall academic standards in annual reviews, especially at the high school level.

In response, Eve Gomez, chairman of Bowman’s school board, said in a statement that a “disconnect” has developed between it and Education One that made communication difficult and hindered its ability to make improvements.

It began talks in March with Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting as a potential new authorizer. Gomez said the school noti

fied Education One it filed an application to change charter authorizers in October.

“Education One, who operates out of Angola, Indiana, has had little to no in-person contact with the school and instead relies solely on emails and virtual meetings,” Gomez said.

“It is clear that the actions of the Education One Board are in retaliation for TBLA making application to change Authorizers,” she said.

Calumet College spokesman Brian Lowry said Thursday its charter school board meeting will be held in January or February and it’s expected to make a decision on the authorization.

Wednesday’s revocation marked the second time Bowman has lost its charter.

In 2016, Ball State University, which first chartered the school in 2003, revoked its authorization. Bowman then turned to the Indiana State Charter School Board, which rejected its bid for sponsorship.

It then found a new sponsor in Education One, allowing it to stay open. Michael Suggs, who’s now president of the Gary School Board, served as Bowman’s board chairman in 2016.

Thea Bowman opened its doors shortly after the General Assembly approved legislation establishing charter schools in 2001. Charters are public schools, but require an authorizer which oversees accountability during the contracted term. Their school boards are not elected by voters.

Former Gary Mayor Thomas V. Barnes was instrumental in founding the school.