BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Alabama Public Charter School Commission has a new public data dashboard displaying enrollment, academic performance, financial health and operational data for the 14 charter schools authorized by the commission.
“We want to recruit interested people that want to start high-quality charter schools in Alabama,” commission Executive Director Logan Searcy said during a virtual meeting Monday. “Hopefully they’ll take a look at our dashboard and know that we are eager and ready to improve education in Alabama.”
The commission also approved multiple contract, facilities and policy items during the meeting.
Commissioners began the meeting by approving a corrective action plan for I Dream Big Academy after the school enrolled students in a grade level not approved in the initial contract. The plan requires the school to submit updated enrollment projections, a financial viability plan and a request to amend its charter contract.
Commissioners also noted the school’s Feb. 23 ribbon cutting at its new facility on the Stillman College campus.
The Commission adopted a new facilities policy, prompted by ACCEL Academy’s use of short-term leased space, allowing commission staff to approve temporary or emergency facility changes without a full commission vote. Permanent facility changes will continue to require formal commission approval.
Commissioners also approved an emergency amendment to LEAD Academy’s charter contract, clearing the way for the school to purchase a former church building for a future high school campus planned to open at the start of the 2027-28 school year.
Searcy announced a March 9-10 workshop in Montgomery for charter school operators, with sessions focused on compliance, sustainability and financial planning. The workshop is intended primarily for schools in their planning year or first two years of operation, Searcy said.
The commission’s grant project director, Jane Ivey, said applications are open for federal Charter School Program grants and five schools have already applied. The deadline is March 30, with awards expected by June 5. The funding comes from a $30 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand charter schools statewide.
A second round of grants will open this summer for operators who have executed a charter school contract, she added.
The commission is also seeking peer reviewers with charter, education or grant experience to review the grant applications. Peer reviewers will be announced March 16 and training will be provided by the commission.
Communications Specialist Adoria Hughes told commissioners she is monitoring bills that could impact charter schools and that she expects additional charter-related legislation to be introduced during the session.
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