Charter School May Have To Close

Students at Las Montanas Charter High School say they are excited Wednesday is the last day before summer vacation. Tuesday, there was also a sense of panic among students, as the school?s academic dean says the school could have its charter revoked if the Las Cruces Public School District does not approve a proposed budget for the upcoming year.

“I just was totally shocked and really in disbelief,? Richard Robinson, the academic dean at Las Montanas, said.

Superintendent Stan Rounds says the chance of that happening, however, is slim to none.

“I really like this school,? Destiny Lara, a student, said. ?I hope it doesn’t shut down.”

Lara is completing her sophomore year, something she says she would not be doing at a regular public school.

“I need this school to help me graduate for my son because I need to go to college and I need to have that job that’s going to help me support him,? Lara said.

Of the 300 students who attend Las Montanas, many say it has given them the second chance they need.

?If they do shut down the school, I honestly do think I’m going to be a dropout again, so here, it is my only chance of actually making it to college,? Memory Hernandez, another student, said.

Teachers say they fear how shutting down the school could affect the future for students who have chosen the charter school for a reason.

“It kinda makes your heart stop,? Juanita Arguello, a math teacher, said. ?I felt sad, then I felt angry; I went through all these little phases and my one concern was, what are we going to do with our students.”

Robinson says Las Montanas helps students succeed who may have a more difficult time somewhere else.

“We’re giving that gleam of hope, if you will, for kids that would otherwise be a dropout statistic,? Robinson said.

The school is locally authorized by LCPS, Robinson said. But for the school to maintain its charter, LCPS must approve the budget.

Rounds says the Las Montanas budget is significantly out of balance in one area.

?The school currently leases a facility that they’re in for considerably more money than is stated in their budget,? Rounds said. ?Well I can’t take that to the board for approval – it doesn?t meet the responsible challenge we have from a fiduciary level.”

Robinson says the school is working with a $2,000,000 budget, after a $500,000 cut.

Bottom line, Rounds says, it simply needs to be re-balanced.

“This is resolvable, but lets be sure to understand, it must be resolved,? Rounds said.

Rounds says the school?s budget must be refigured by next week.