W. Chester charter pleads for time to show improvement

The founder of a West Chester charter school, during a hearing to revoke its charter, appealed to the school district for more time to show academic and financial progress.

Lamont McKim, the CEO and cofounder of Sankofa Academy and a graduate of West Chester School District, said his teachers taught him "to do my best, never give up, and things take a little time."

District officials have said the school has financial and academic difficulties and has not met the conditions of its charter. They cited several concerns: recent test scores that show just 5 percent of students are proficient in math and 10 percent in reading, unpaid bills, and not a single progress report to the district in four years.

But McKim said that many of its 67 students - far below the 400 once predicted - came to the school four or five grade levels behind and that the school helped them make remarkable achievements, including going to college. The school has an African-centered curriculum for students in grades 5 through 12.

"We're on a good path," he said, "and we humbly and respectfully ask for a little bit more time."

The chairman of the board of trustees, Fred Franklin, a retired Air Force officer and businessman, conceded that "our progress has not been earth-shattering. But there are students in the community that have benefited from the school."

The public has 90 days to submit comments about the revocation proceeding, and then the board will schedule a vote.