Macon Charter Academy prepares for first day of school and state termination hearing

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon Charter Academy is preparing for its first day of school and a termination hearing with the state next month.

Monya Rutland has been MCA’s new board chair for almost three weeks.

The school will open its doors for its second year in August.

That same month, the Georgia Department of Education will be making its case as to why the school should be closed.

Rutland said she’s confident going into both a new school year and the termination hearing.

“We’re in preparation mode,” said Rutland.

MCA will welcome students again on August 1st.

“We’re opening with an attitude that we’re ready,” explained Rutland.

On top of getting ready for the first day of classes, the school is also preparing for a meeting with the state on August 18th that will decide if the school stays open.

“There’s a lot of synergy there because we want the state to understand that Macon Charter is open for business. We’re doing what we need to do for our students. There have been a lot of lessons we’ve learned over the past year,” said Rutland.

MCA will need to prepare a witness and document list of evidence for the hearing.

“We will be calling in people who have insight and can speak to the happenings here at MCA, but we haven’t finalized that list yet,” explained Rutland.

The school can also request a pre-hearing telephone conference.

“That provides an opportunity for us to gather more information about the process. This hearing, as I understand it, is the first of its kind so it’s new for everyone,” said Rutland.

Rutland said MCA will highlight the positive changes during the hearing.

She’s confident the school will not have the same problems if the school stays open.

The Georgia Department of Education said if the state decides to terminate MCA’s charter after the hearing, it’s possible students will be moved to a different school in the middle of the school year.

“I have given that zero thought. Our focus, my focus, is on the school remaining open,” said Rutland when asked about the idea of students changing schools in the middle of the school year.

Rutland hopes everyone comes to the hearing with an open mind and remembers the students are the ones who will be affected the most with this decision.