UPDATE: Macon Charter Academy appoints three new board members, partners with “Renaissance School Services”

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon Charter Academy approved a charter amendment to allow a turnaround firm to help get the school off a state-issues probation.

Renaissance School Services will start interviews and get financial information about the school Wednesday. Board members approved the Educational Service Provider charter amendment with an additional condition: there’s a 45 day trial period.

“That was a move on Mr. Grant’s part that ensured the board had some leverage in case this wasn’t the way to go. Right now we’re up against a clock,” said Board Member Joseph Brothers Jr.

MCA’s board also approved a charter amendment that changes the contract term. It will now end in 2020 instead of 2019. Brothers said the board will tell the Bibb School District about these approvals Wednesday. The charter amendments need to be approved by the county board of education and state Department of Education as well. The Bibb County School Board has a meeting scheduled for this Thursday.

The President of Renaissance School Services, Richard O’Neill, spoke at Tuesday night’s meeting. He answered questions from MCA employees and parents. O’Neill couldn’t give too many specifics about the agreement with MCA because he wasn’t there for the approval. He arrived late to the meeting after a flight from New Jersey this evening. O’Neill told a teacher he doesn’t intend to cut teacher positions or salaries, but it depends on the budget review.

“We brought our finance team. Tomorrow we have someone joining us from our HR department. We’re going to initially start during the month of December focusing on all of the financial aspects of the school. Revenues, expenses, staffing,” explained O’Neill.

One parent asked if MCA could afford RSS’s service fees. O’Neill said he didn’t know because he hasn’t looked at the financial records or the agreement the board approved.

“Our standard terms are 9% of gross revenues or $900 per pupil,” explained O’Neill.

O’Neill added RSS has 120 days to decide if MCA can afford the turnaround firm’s services. He guarantees a board approved budget by February 15. 

MCA will have another called board meeting Wednesday night at 6 p.m. Brothers said the board will be reviewing applications and possibly appointing two new members.