State Agency Shuts Down Progressive Christian Academy Day Care

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Officials from a state agency are ordering the Progressive Christian Academy’s preschool program to close. One group of parents say it’s tired of the drama surrounding the school and plans to take matters into their own hands.

A group of parents called “Parents for Progressive Christian Academy” sent a letter out to other parents at the school urging them to “come together as a community and do what we need to do to save our school”.

The school’s owner E.T. Strickland received a letter from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning stating that the school is operating an unlicensed day care center and will be forced to “cease and desist” order.

Progressive Christian Academy is currently the focus of lawsuit between its founder Betty Tolbert and the new owners of the school. In a letter sent out to parents, Strickland writes that there is “no basis in fact and lack of merit” in the lawsuit’s allegations.

Parents like Cynthia Hawkins say they are tired of the legal problems and are ready to set differences aside for the children.

“It’s all about the kids, they learn here,” Hawkins said, “this is a good school.”

Evette Goolsby has two daughters that attend Progressive Christian Academy. Her girls love the school.

“It’s a community,” Goolsby said, “it’s like a second family for my children when my children. When my children are here, I don’t worry cause I know there are people here looking out for them.”

The preschool will close its doors November 9. The kindergarten through 8th grade portion of the school will not be affected. School officials say there will be a hearing next Tuesday to discuss the licensing issue.