Virtual Learning Solutions Withdraws Charter

By Natalie Stevens

Virtual Learning Solutions and K12 Inc. won’t be heard around St. Charles for at least a little while.

Virtual Learning Solutions has, for now, withdrawn its charter, Oswego school officials learning Monday, and on Tuesday, the executive director of the Illinois State Charter School Commission, Jeanne Nowaczewsk, said in a release that she recommends, “to adopt staff recommendation to deny the 18 appeals filed by Virtual Learning Solutions … regarding the establishment of the Illinois Virtual Charter School at Fox River Valley.”

Earlier this year, all 18 school districts approached by VLS denied their application. The St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 Board of Education did so in early April.

“It was a disgusting display of just trying to make a profit,” said Walsh of the entire proposal at an earlier meeting.

In May the State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia stepped in to delay virtual online learning, which established a moratorium on all new charter schools until April 1, 2014 and is another reason Nowaczewsk gave in her nine reasons to deny the appeals.

“We’ll have to monitor the situation closely over the next year,” said Walsh.

Related:
May 7, 2013: Virtual Charter School in St. Charles Faces Virtual State Roadblock
April 8, 2013: St. Charles District 303 Rejects Virtual Charter School
March 14, 2013: K12 Virtual Charter School Under Heavy Fire by Illinois Jobs Activists

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