At the September 10 charter school commission meeting, the Alabama Public Charter School Commission rejected the application for the first LGBTQ charter school. Four of the eight commissioners abstained from the vote, three voted yes, and one commissioner voted no, reported AL.com. The single no vote effectively denied approval for Magic City Acceptance Academy.
This was the second chance for the Magic City Acceptance Academy to be approved. However, Commission Chairman Henry Nelson appealed to Commissioner Marla Green to call for a new vote. Green refused, so Nelson called for a commission meeting for September 17. It is unclear if they will reconsider at this meeting.
Birmingham Aids Outreach started the charter school application process in order to “provide an affirming learning environment for LGBTQ students”, according to a BAO press release.
“We’re thrilled to support BAO and the Magic Center Acceptance Center in their application for a charter school. All kids deserve a school environment that is welcoming and affirming, and far too often, that is just not the experience kids in the LGBTQ community have in a traditional school. This application has all of the elements to not only deliver a nurturing school environment but also an excellent academic experience,” said Tyler Barnett, Executive Director of New Schools for Alabama.
The mission of BAO is to “enhance the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS, at-risk, affected individuals, and the LGBTQ community through outreach, age-appropriate prevention education, and supportive services.”
Commissioner Nelson has questioned whether the denial was due to bias. Al.com quoted Commissioner Nelson as saying, “There’s no school that’s come before us with stronger leadership, with the amount of money they have and have their own facility,” said Nelson. “I can’t see any reason based on our previous votes…that this school matches if not exceeds, every other school that we’ve voted on.”
After the vote, MCAA Principal Michael Wilson spoke to the commissioners. “I would implore you to put bias aside and let us save some lives by providing the atmosphere and the academic environment that so many students out there need,” Wilson said.
During the meeting, the commission approved two charter applications: Breakthrough Charter School in Perry County and Ivy Classical Academy in Prattville. They also denied an application from Knowledge Unlimited. Magic City Acceptance Academy was planning to open with 200-300 students grades 6-12 and be located in Bessemer.
To reach the commissioners, go to their website for information.