MALDEN — The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education this morning voted not to revoke its approval of the Gloucester Community Arts Charter School despite a now active investigation by the Massachusetts Inspector General into whether the charter was improperly granted last winter.
Eight members of the Education Board said they were satisfied that they had no legal standing to take back the Gloucester charter, while two expressed shock that fellow members would not wait for the Inspector General to report his findings before moving on.
After the vote, Gloucester parents and school officials, who have launched an unprecedented campaign to defeat the charter, vowed to explore new legal action and fight on.
"This is not over," said School Committee member Melissa Teixeira.
Representatives of the charter school were guarded after the vote, but called the state board's action another logical step in the process heading toward the school's opening next September.
"It is nice to hear the board's confidence in what we will do for Gloucester," said charter school trustee Kate Ruff.
Ruff said charter school officials expect to announce the location of the school early next month and the hiring of an executive director shortly.
Inspector General Gregory Sullivan, whose appearance at the meeting was a surprise to some members of the Education Board, said his office is examining the process that went into granting the charter and whether the award was "legitimate."
Sullivan said the investigation would likely be complete before the Board of Education meets again Dec. 16.
Patrick Anderson may be contacted at 978-283-7000 x3455 or panderson@gloucestertimes.com. For the complete story, see tomorrow's print and online editions of the Gloucester Daily Times.
