Coral Springs Charter School relocation plans move forward as Charter Schools USA prepares to finance new facility without city money
Coral Springs, Florida – Plans to move Coral Springs Charter School into a new facility are moving ahead after city commissioners unanimously approved a step toward a new agreement with the company that operates the school.
The Coral Springs City Commission voted Wednesday, Sept. 23, to allow Mayor Scott Brook to sign a letter of intent with Charter Schools USA. The company, which has managed Coral Springs Charter School since 2002, had already signed the document earlier that day, according to City Attorney John Hearn.
The letter outlines how the city and Charter Schools USA would work together on a future relocation of the school. While the document does not represent a final agreement, Hearn told commissioners that it commits both sides to continue negotiations in good faith.
One of the main points discussed during the meeting was how the new school would be financed. According to Hearn, the project would rely on state funding connected to the students attending the charter school, along with other state funds that can only be used for the school.
“The city will have no obligation other than the state funds,” he said.
Hearn said Charter Schools USA would be responsible for covering any difference if the available state funding is not enough to meet the project’s costs. The company also plans to support the bond used to finance construction, which would give it a role in decisions involving the design of the new facility.
The proposed arrangement includes several other provisions that define the responsibilities of the city and Charter Schools USA.
Hearn told commissioners that one important condition is that the city will continue to hold the charter for the school. Charter Schools USA had asked whether maintaining that arrangement was important to Coral Springs.
“We said absolutely, unless the commission tells us differently,” Hearn said.
The city would also retain ownership of the property where the new school is eventually built. Under the proposed arrangement, the land would be leased to Charter Schools USA. The rent would be reduced because the company would take responsibility for the bond connected to the project.
Construction would be handled through a bidding process required under state law. The proposed agreement also calls for a new management arrangement that would give both the city and Charter Schools USA input on curriculum.
Enrollment would be another part of the plan. Students attending Renaissance Charter School at Coral Springs would receive preference when enrolling in the new school. Hearn also said the city intends to make the facility large enough to accommodate additional students.
The exact location of the proposed school has not yet been announced. Hearn did not identify a site during the commission meeting. In August, a city spokeswoman said that no location had been selected at that time.
The latest action represents another step in a process that could eventually give Coral Springs Charter School a new facility without requiring the city to provide additional money beyond state funds tied to the school.
The letter of intent itself is not legally binding as a final relocation agreement. Instead, it establishes the framework for further discussions between the city and Charter Schools USA. A more detailed agreement will have to be completed later.
Hearn expressed support for the terms presented to commissioners.
“This moves the ball forward, and we’re very happy with the terms,” he said.
The commission also renewed the city’s management agreement with Charter Schools USA through June 30, 2029. As part of that renewal, the company stated that it intends to finance construction of a new school without city money, with the exception of the land provided by the city.
The financing arrangement is intended to keep the project separate from the city’s general financial obligations. If state funding does not cover the full cost, Charter Schools USA would be responsible for the shortfall under the plan described by Hearn.
For now, the relocation remains in the planning and negotiation stage. The city still needs to work through the details of a full agreement, including the future site and final terms for the new facility.
Coral Springs Charter School has been operated by Charter Schools USA for more than two decades. With the unanimous commission vote, the city and the company can now continue working toward a new school while maintaining the existing charter and keeping the proposed project from creating a broader financial obligation for Coral Springs.
