News Summary
The Light Academy, a private middle school in Miramar, is in danger of closure just two days into the school year due to a contract dispute with the city. The school’s principal was informed by police that they could not return to the premises, leading to confusion and frustration among parents and students. The city terminated the school’s contract, citing concerns about restroom access, despite prior operations not facing such issues. Currently, the school is using a public library for classes while awaiting legal resolution.
Miramar – The Light Academy, a private middle school located in Vizcaya Park at 14200 Southwest 55th Street, is in danger of closure just two days into its academic year due to a contract dispute with the city. The school had officially commenced its operations on a Monday with 12 enrolled students but was locked out by city officials shortly after the first day.
On the evening of the inaugural day, school Principal Dr. Cassandre Davis received a call from Miramar Police stating that the academy would not be permitted to return the following day, though no reasons were provided at the time. This abrupt notification led to the city blocking access to the park’s gates the next morning, prompting immediate action from concerned parents, students, and staff who gathered at City Hall seeking answers about the sudden closure.
In July, the Light Academy entered into a contract with the city that allowed the school to operate on the premises. However, the situation took a drastic turn with an email notification sent to the school last Thursday indicating that their contract had been terminated. Davis, confident in the validity of a binding lease agreement signed by several city officials, was caught off guard by the city’s decision to stop the school’s operations.
Officials within the city have speculated that the primary concern for the contract’s termination may be related to restroom access for students and the general public. This reasoning appears perplexing to Davis, given that the city had previously conducted a summer program at the same location without raising concerns about such issues.
City spokespeople have indicated that they are unable to provide detailed comments as this matter is currently under review by their legal department. Families affected by the situation have expressed their frustration and confusion over the lack of communication from city officials, with many parents stating that this sudden cessation of classes is detrimental to their children’s educational progress.
Students have shown feelings of anxiety and uncertainty regarding the status of their school, with many eager to continue learning and expressing concerns about any potential wrongdoings that might have led to the termination of classes.
Currently, the Light Academy has transitioned to utilizing a public library as a temporary space for its classes. However, the city has explicitly instructed the school to remain closed until the legal issues surrounding the contract dispute are resolved in court.
Davis has made it clear that she intends to seek legal access to the school’s classrooms while pursuing litigation against the city, arguing that the actions taken represent a breach of contract. Despite these intentions, a judge has already denied the school’s request for an emergency injunction that would allow them to continue operating at Vizcaya Park until the court case is addressed.
As the situation develops, The Light Academy faces an uncertain future, with both students and staff eagerly awaiting a resolution from the legal proceedings that will determine the school’s ability to reopen and continue its mission of education in Miramar.
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Additional Resources
- WSVN: Private Middle School in Miramar at Risk of Closing
- NBC Miami: Miramar Private School Demands Answers
- WSVN: The Light Academy in Miramar at Risk of Closing
- Local 10: City Locks Students Out of Miramar Private School
- NBC Miami: Search for Answers After Sudden Closure
- Wikipedia: Miramar
- Google Search: Miramar private school closure
- Google Scholar: Miramar school closure
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Miramar
- Google News: Miramar school news
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
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