Titusville charter school to open, officials say

TITUSVILLE, Fla. – With just two days before students in Brevard County head back to class, it now appears one new charter school will be allowed to open after all. 

News 6 first told you last week about the troubles at The Legacy Academy in Titusville. 

School district officials said the school didn't meet standards when it came to health and safety, and missed deadlines for students and staff.

"The Brevard Public Schools bears legal responsibility to ensure student safety, health and welfare at all publicly funded schools, including charter schools," officials said in a statement.

The school board has an item on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting to terminate the school's charter, but school officials said they pulled the proposed cancellation.

"We're excited. We're very excited for the children,"  the charter school's attorney, Christopher Norwood, said. "For a brand-new school, this is a very, very important moment." 

Last week, Norwood said he was confident that despite the district recommending it end their contract, the administration would step up and satisfy a list of health and safety requirements just in time.

"The parents are very relieved," Norwood said. "I think the parents were very much prepared to march down to the school board today, to be honest." 

Brevard Public Schools said on Tuesday that Legacy Academy's contract stands because since last week the school finally passed a health inspection, met insurance requirements and got a certificate to occupy the old First United Methodist Church on U.S. Route 1.

Two hundred students and teachers are enrolled in grades pre-K through sixth.

"They are ecstatic and I don't blame them," Christina Kolker said.

She's a former Brevard public schools teacher who wants to join the charter school too.

She said the news Tuesday inspired her to apply.

"I'm dropping off a resume right now," Kolker said. "I hear this school is phenomenal and the more I hear, the more excited I get, so I would like to be a part of that."

"We now have a great partnership with the school district and we hope to continue it. Hopefully, we can communicate better for the betterment of the children," Norwood said.

In the wake of the good news, the school said it's time to celebrate. The school is hosting a welcoming party Wednesday for students, teachers and parents.