Charter school extension in limbo

The Community Unit District 300 school board has delayed approving an extension and changes for the Cambridge Lakes Charter School in Pingree Grove as it awaits answers and additional information from the charter's operators.

Northern Kane Educational Corp., which runs the charter school, is asking for an extension through the 2015 school year, as well as the addition of online learning. The school also wants to expand to include grades 9 through 12.

District 300 school board President Joe Stevens said the board needs clarification from the charter school.

“Part of the problem is that Northern Kane wants one big motion,” Stevens said. “The board has said it would like those things broken apart, or those things might go down.”

Last year, District 300 extended the charter through the 2014 school year. However, the Illinois State Board of Education has yet to approve the extension.

School board members said the charter school has not complied with requests from the Illinois State Board of Education for clarification on the charter school's relationship with the school district and other partners.

The state board of education sent the request in January.

“The ball is in the court of the charter school,” district spokeswoman Allison Strupeck said. “The charter operators have not provided all of the answers and documentation to the state board. Until they do, the charter is in limbo.”

The only state-certified charter for Cambridge Lakes expires June 30, 2011.

Despite the delays, board members say it is unlikely the charter school will close at the end of the school year.

“We don't foresee that happening because every school board member supports the charter school,” board member Monica Clark said.

Larry Fuhrer, director of Northern Kane Educational Corp., did not attend Monday's school board meeting and did not return calls for comment.