KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasAgassi Prep's License May Get Revoked

Agassi Prep's License May Get Revoked

(Mar. 8) -- The Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy may be forced to close its doors after an investigation found that the school was breaking several state laws. The school has 90 days to fix the problems or the school district may revoke the school's charter.

Problems at Andre Agassi came to light several months ago when parents began complaining about how the school was being run. Now the CCSD's investigation confirms that parents here did have reason to be concerned.

Craig Kadlub with the Clark County School District; "We don't expect them to be identical to school district schools, because then what would be the point of having a charter school experience."

Charter schools do have more leeway when it comes to how their schools are run. Unlike other public schools, sate law requires that only 70-percent of their teachers to be licensed.

"So that means they could get away without having a licensed teacher in P.E., art, music and perhaps some other elective courses," Kadlub said. But licensed teachers are required in core courses and in elementary classrooms. Craig Kadlub headed the Clark County School District's investigation into Agassi Prep, which found that school officials allowed an unlicensed teacher's aid to teach a 5th grade class.

Diana Campanale and Gary Heitz pulled their two daughters out of Andre Agassi this past December after they say their daughter's grades and attitude took a turn for the worse.

"One teacher came in on Monday and Wednesday and the other teacher came on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and when she couldn't make it, they would bring in another sub. And this year my daughter Courtney went through four teachers."

The investigation also found the school did not have a special education teacher on staff and that student records were not properly kept. Gary Heitz says the school that was supposed to be a step above the rest was nothing but a stumbling block in his daughter's education. "I would never let them come back here," he said.

School administrators have 90 days to come into compliance with state law. If at that time the necessary changes have not been made, the school board could vote to revoke the school's license.

Eyewitness News spoke with the Principal Kim Allen who says all of the problems pointed out in the investigation are correctable. Allen says she plans on having the school up to state standards within the 90-day period.