Multiple LC College Prep teachers no-shows in classroom
Published 4:12 pm Tuesday, September 27, 2022
- A steady stream of parents and guardians were driving up to the front of the Lake Charles College Prep Tuesday to take students home when a number of teachers did not show up for work. (Donna Price / American Press)
Many students at Lake Charles College Prep experienced a disrupted day of learning on Tuesday after several teachers skipped work.
Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy Foundation President Gene Thibodeaux said the absent teachers utilized PTO to organize a protest against the recent administrative decision to move LCCP under the management of Charter Schools USA.
Many students were picked up from school by parents and guardians. Remaining students participated in virtual learning.
LCCP, who was previously self-managed, made the management decision despite being the recommendation by the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to separate themselves from the organization in 2019.
Charter Schools USA is a Florida-based for-profit education management organization. They manage 90 schools across the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Louisiana. In Calcasieu Parish, CSUSA manages Lake Charles Charter Academy and South Louisiana Charter Academy.
Several LCCP teachers and faculty took to social media to express their concerns regarding the decision. These teachers and faculty issued a collaborative statement.
“After 4 years of consistent growth despite natural disasters and global pandemics, the board of Lake Charles College Prep has chosen to transfer management to Charters School USA, who was previously removed as a managing partner per the guidance of BESE. The administration, faculty and staff of LCCP stand united in disagreement with this decision.
“The reason for our disagreement is because the decision does not benefit the students or faculty, and only stands to benefit the board members. This is not the Prep way. We ask for the support of the community as we seek to weather this latest storm as we provide high-quality education of choice for the young people of Lake Charles.”
Pamela Quebodeaux, regional superintendent of the Lake Charles region, responded by stating, “We are currently working with the school administration and members of the board to address the issues and concerns of teachers in order to do what is in the best interest of the students at Lake Charles College Prep.”
On social media, LCCP teachers and staff publicly said they are requesting a meeting with the board.
