Imani Elementary Charter School on Mercy Drive in Orlando, is set to close its doors Wednesday, after the Orange County School Board voted yesterday to shut down the school.
A series of problems ranging from misappropriation of funds to delinquency in payment to venders have plagued Imani Charter School over the past several months.
Funds allocated to Imani Charter School for curriculum material, computer technology and public relations materials to the tune of $160,000 have been misappropriated. These monies were placed in the school’s unknown construction account. The school admitted that funds had been misappropriated.
In addition, it was also found that the school had failed to pay federal withholding taxes of $90,000 and is in debt in excess of $400,000, does placing its financial solvency in doubt.
According to a statement from the School Board, “Despite the urgent need for correction action and repeated attempts by the district to aid the school and governing board,” the school has failed to comply with statutory and contractual requirements.
The School Board said too, the school had failed to develop a comprehensive and viable curriculum which negatively impacted the students’ ability to learn.
An informal meeting on March 9, with the school’s sponsor, failed the resolve the outstanding issues.
Imani Charter School had about 75 students at the time when it was ordered to close it doors.
