New Kingsbridge charter school placed on probation

The 7-month-old Kingsbridge Innovative Design Charter School has been placed on probation and may soon close.

The Board of Regents placed the Kingsbridge charter school, located at 295 W. 231st St., on probation for fiscal mismanagement and other “substantial violations,” according to a NYSED probation order, The Wall Street Journal first reported.

The school was cited for incurring “significant, unbudgeted expenses,” failure to achieve tax-exempt status from the IRS, repeatedly taking out loans and paying staff and outside agencies late. It was also cited for operating without a principal since Jan. 4, opening 10 days behind schedule in September, having a high turnover rate and lacking sufficient materials and teachers to properly educate students.

The school laid off five teachers yesterday, three operational staff members and an administrator today and two operational staff members about a month ago, according to Executive Director Julio Cotto.

Mr. Cotto said the school is trying to meet the Board of Regents’ recommendations and pare down its budget.

“I think that the board is going to execute the remediation plan on schedule, ahead of schedule and it will all go away very soon and we’ll be happy to continue enrolling kids next year and moving forward,” he said.

NYSED ordered the school to clean up its act by Friday, April 29. The Board of Regents will review the school again in May and may opt to revoke its charter and close it.