Financially challenged Pullman school accepts charter revocation by state commission

Robin McDonald
Robin McDonald

Pullman’s first and only public charter school will close after its last day next Friday.

Pullman Community Montessori’s board of trustees unanimously voted in a meeting Monday not to appeal the Washington State Charter School Commission’s decision to revoke the school’s charter, Board Chairperson Robin McDonald said.

“It was a really devastating moment,” McDonald said. “We gave it our best shot, and no one ever stopped trying until we voted. ... But we felt it was the financially responsible thing to do.”

Commissioners voted to close the Montessori during a special meeting in Olympia last week. The choice was made ultimately because the school lacked the funds to operate.

The Montessori expected to end the year with 14 days of cash on hand. As a third-year school, it should have a minimum of 60 days’ cash, according to documents attached to the commission’s meeting agenda.

The school also anticipated a $500,000 budget deficit for the 2024-25 academic year, according to the documents.

McDonald said given its financial position, the Montessori could risk a mid-year closure.

“There would always be a chance hanging over our heads if there was an unforeseen expense, drop in enrollment or a situation arose,” McDonald said. “It wouldn’t be safe for us to proceed or fair to our families moving forward like that.”

Another aspect, she added, was additional costs for legal counsel. McDonald said the school would need legal representation to appeal the commission’s decision.

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“Considering that added expense,” McDonald said, “it was the final nail in the coffin.”

Even if the Montessori went through with the appeal, she said there would be no guarantee the commission would change its mind.

Commissioners initiated steps to close the school in March after receiving several complaints. Since January, commission Executive Director Jessica de Barros said it had received 72 complaints against the Montessori.

Commission staff performed an investigation into the school, and found multiple violations. They included deficiency in safety compliance, changes to the education program and a lack of financial viability, according to documents attached with the meeting agenda.

The Montessori model is an alternative form of education. Formed by Italian physician Maria Montessori in the early 20th century, it focuses on children’s natural interests and hands-on learning opportunities rather than formal teaching methods.

The Pullman version was certified in 2020 and opened at the Gladish Community and Cultural Center in 2021. It began with about 70 students and offered kindergarten through seventh grade. The charter school was an independently operated public school that received federal and state funding.

The Pullman Community Montessori isn’t the only school that operates out of the Gladish. The Montessori School of Pullman, which has provided daycare, preschool and kindergarten for over 50 years, will remain open and is unaffected by the other school’s closure.

“Though the Pullman Community Montessori is closing, the community it created will always be there,” McDonald said. “People have formed bonds and the kids will have lifelong connections.”

Pearce can be reached at epearce@dnews.com

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