SACS Appeal

Teaneck Patch reports below on the appeal by the infamous Hebrew language charter school that already had two failed attempts at opening.  I really wish they would step aside and let someone else try to open a Hebrew charter school in the area.  I doubt anyone would trust them again at this point.

Shalom Academy Appeals Rejected Charter Application

Federal grant money on hold for proposed Hebrew-immersion school, official says.

• By Noah Cohen
• Email the author
• 12:18 pm

    

Proposed Hebrew immersion charter school Shalom Academy has appealed a state decision to block the school from opening, officials said Tuesday. 

State Education Commissioner Chris Cerf in July rejected the school’s bid to open in Teaneck, saying the school had not proven it was ready and could not supply the required documents. Cerf’s decision came after the school was granted a planning year to secure a location.

A spokeswoman at the U.S. Department of Education, which awarded Shalom Academy a $200,000 grant last year, confirmed the school had filed an appeal. Federal grant money is frozen during the process.

“The school is appealing its denial. They did not receive continuation funding so their grants will remain open but on hold through the appeals process,” the spokeswoman said.

Shalom Academy founder Raphael Bachrach did not respond to a message seeking comment.

The charter school was planned to serve students in Teaneck and Englewood. Both districts opposed the application, raising concerns over the program and budget impact.

Shalom Academy planned to enroll 160 students. The school filled those spots and some grades had waiting lists, a representative told Patch in June.

Teaneck and Englewood were required to allocate funds for students from each community to attend the K-5 school. The Teaneck Board of Education allocated $1.4 million for Shalom Academy as part of the 2012-2013 budget while Englewood had set aside around $785,000.