OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — After hours of witness testimony and the presentation of extensive evidence, Proud To Partner Leadership Academy (PTPLA), a charter school in southwest Oklahoma City, may soon face closure after a rare decision by the Statewide Charter School Board.
On Monday, the board voted 9-1 to find “clear and convincing evidence” that PTPLA violated its founding charter contract. The board then voted unanimously to move forward with canceling the school’s charter.
The Issues at PTPLA
PTPLA, which opened in July 2024, has faced a number of financial and operational challenges since its inception. Throughout the termination hearing, state officials outlined several problems with the school’s operation:
- Financial Struggles: The school ended its first year with a $250,000 deficit and had to lay off three teachers this school year due to lack of funds.
- Special Education and Child Nutrition: Concerns were raised about whether PTPLA’s special education services and child nutrition complied with state law and the school’s charter.
- Staffing Issues: Witnesses reported seeing very few teachers present during site visits, with one visit revealing only one teacher providing instruction. PTPLA leaders refuted this claim, saying the laid-off teachers were volunteering and had since been rehired on part-time pay.
- Non-Compliance with Oversight: Oklahoma State Department of Education officials testified about their struggles to get timely responses and financial reports from PTPLA’s administrators.
The Path to Termination
The school was placed on probation in November 2025, after the Statewide Charter School Board raised concerns about its operations. Following this, PTPLA’s board members demanded an apology from the state, claiming that there was nothing to fix.
However, frustration grew when PTPLA leaders continued to resist cooperation with state oversight, prompting the board to initiate termination proceedings in January 2026.
School Officials’ Defense
Dawn Bowles, PTPLA’s superintendent, and other school officials acknowledged the challenges but argued that these did not compromise student learning. Bowles expressed frustration that the state did not offer enough support during the probationary period.
“We are still devoted and committed to doing what’s best on behalf of the families that we serve,” Bowles said after the board’s vote.
Attorneys for PTPLA claimed that the school was unfairly targeted in what they called a “rush to judgment”, arguing that concerns about the school had been exaggerated. The school’s lawyer, Kwame Mumina, called the proceedings a “hysteria” overblown by the state.
Impact on Students
The potential closure of PTPLA would directly affect its 100 students, who would need to find new schools, either returning to their home districts or looking for other educational options for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Dawn Bowles warned that the closure of the school would harm underprivileged students, particularly those from Black and brown families in Oklahoma City. She stressed that PTPLA had been created to serve these communities, offering an alternative educational option.
“Most importantly, it will take away an opportunity to provide an education that is aligned to the needs of our Black and brown families in Oklahoma City,” Bowles argued.
Next Steps for PTPLA
For the charter contract to be officially canceled, the Statewide Charter School Board must vote again to approve the findings of fact from the termination hearing.
This vote could occur as soon as next week. If the board approves the findings, PTPLA would have 10 days to file an appeal. If the appeal is denied, the case could be taken to district court.
The Larger Debate
This decision highlights broader debates over charter school accountability and the balance between school autonomy and state oversight.
While some argue that charter schools provide valuable alternatives to traditional public schools, others point to cases like PTPLA as evidence that stricter oversight is necessary to ensure quality education and fiscal responsibility.
The Statewide Charter School Board’s move to terminate PTPLA’s charter marks the culmination of a months-long investigation into the school’s operations, and it remains to be seen whether PTPLA will continue to operate or be forced to shut down.
