PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. — Tensions between Chavez-Huerta K-12 Preparatory Academy and Pueblo School District 60 escalated Monday evening after the district’s Board of Education voted 3-2 to reject the school’s request for early release from its exclusive charter agreement. The decision, which comes after months of negotiation, prevents the school from seeking a new charter authorizer through the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) until the current agreement expires on June 30.
Chavez-Huerta officials expressed disappointment following the vote, citing the school’s desire to transition to a new authorizer that would better align with its educational philosophy and long-term goals. Representatives argued that CSI could offer the school greater flexibility and autonomy in governing its operations.
“We believe CSI can provide the kind of flexibility that will allow us to fulfill our mission more effectively,” said a representative of Chavez-Huerta following the vote. “We are committed to ensuring the best possible educational experience for our students, and this change would have better supported that vision.”
The decision to reject the early release followed a heated debate among board members. Those who voted against the proposal emphasized the importance of honoring the terms of the existing charter agreement and ensuring a smooth transition for the students and staff at the school. District officials argued that allowing the school to switch authorizers early could lead to instability during the final months of the current school year.
“I’m concerned about what the consequences would be for our students if we allow this transition to happen now,” said one member of the board who voted against the release. “We need to honor our commitments to the school community and ensure a smooth end to this school year.”
However, supporters of the early release argued that granting Chavez-Huerta the flexibility to transition to a new authorizer sooner rather than later would reduce administrative friction and potentially benefit the broader community. They pointed to the school’s commitment to educational excellence and the potential for CSI to offer more responsive oversight.
In the wake of the board’s decision, Chavez-Huerta filed an appeal with the Colorado Department of Education. The department is expected to issue a ruling sometime in May. If the state rules in favor of the charter school, it could potentially override the district’s decision, though such a reversal is rare and would represent a significant departure from the typical charter governance process in Pueblo.
As the June 30 expiration date for the current charter agreement approaches, the future of Chavez-Huerta’s governance remains uncertain. The outcome of the appeal will likely determine whether the school can pursue its plans to transition to CSI or must continue to operate under the terms of its current arrangement until the summer.
With both sides bracing for a decision from the state, the situation remains fluid, and the final resolution will have important implications for Chavez-Huerta’s future and for charter school governance in Pueblo County.