New Pasco charter school expects delayed opening

Following superintendent Kurt Browning's recommendation, the Pasco School Board this week overturned its rejection of the Pasco Charter Academy.

The board's charter approval does not mean the school, to be run by giant Charter Schools USA, will be ready for the 2016-17 academic year.

Rod Jurado, representing the applicant, told the School Board that the district's late approval of the charter and pending contract talks would not leave enough time to find a location for the school.

"We are looking forward to opening in August 2017," Jurado said. "Thank you very much for reconsidering the application."

Browning said outside the board meeting that his staff had misinterpreted state rules relating to the use of capital projects funds when evaluating the charter application. After reviewing the details more closely, he said, they realized they should not have recommended denial of the charter based on the proposed uses in the application.

He said he preferred to have the board reconsider its action, rather than spend time and energy going through an appeal that could have ended in reversal. Charter Schools USA has been trying to get into Pasco County since 2011.