![]() An IEP ensures students with disabilities receive specialized instruction and related services.ĭespite recent news accounts of McQueen’s unlawful management practices, Peralta remains fiercely loyal to the former Torchlight leader who, along with Cynthia McQueen, his wife and business partner and former Torchlight principal, had been the face of the school for two decades. State records show Andrews altered students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP) documents in a student data management system monitored by the state, which is a violation of federal law. The NCDPI investigation found serious misconduct in the program, which was led by McQueen’s daughter, Shawntrice Andrews. In fact, understaffing in the special education program didn’t play a part in the charter termination. “I’m not trying to use that as an excuse for that situation, but if you go by the numbers, a lot of people decided it was better to stay home and receive unemployment.” Don and Cynthia McQueen “Due to the COVID situation, not everybody wanted to work,” Peralta explained. She believes trouble in an understaffed special education program led the state board to revoke the school’s charter. Peralta only has a limited understanding of what led the state board to close the school. ![]() It offered to bring on all new members if the state board allowed the school to remain open. The board has faced criticism for its poor oversight of the school’s affairs. Torchlight’s Board of Directors quickly fired the EMO and McQueen, who was also the school’s chief administrator, after learning about NCDPI’s concerns. The school was managed by Raleigh businessman Don McQueen through Torchlight Academy Schools LLC, a for-profit Educational Management Organization (EMO) McQueen launched in 2015. The state board voted to terminate Torchlight’s charter earlier this year after NCDPI’s months-long investigation turned up serious fiscal and management concerns. Students from as far away as Craven and New Hanover counties also attended the school, presumably remotely. ![]() Torchlight’s 2021 audit shows that WCPSS paid the school $1.8 million, the largest amount among the 15 districts from which it drew students.ĭurham Public Schools paid $43,000, Johnston County Public Schools $23,332, and Granville County Schools $11,766. Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) will likely absorb most of the students attending Torchlight Academy. ![]() The school will close on June 30 by order of the State Board of Education. If you compare that with public schools, it’s really hard to get.”īut over the summer, Peralta and hundreds of other Torchlight families must find new schools for more than 500 children currently enrolled there. “I’m able to go to school and I’m able to work. “It helps me to be better,” Peralta said. The services that Torchlight provides such as transportation to summer school and afterschool programs run by the school have been a big help to parents who work, Peralta said. Two of Peralta’s children are currently enrolled at Torchlight and two others attended kindergarten through eighth grade before moving on to Wake County high schools. The K-8 charter school in Raleigh has become a lifeline for the Dominican mother of six. The state is closing Raleigh’s Torchlight Academy because of repeated and serious management failures, but some of its strengths and accomplishments will be lost in the processĬarla Peralta cried after getting the word that Torchlight Academy is closing due to fiscal and governance concerns uncovered during a state Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) investigation. She has sent four children to Torchlight. Carla Peralta (center) is surrounded by three of her children.
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