Woodson Academy persuades DPI to release school choice funding

School presents temporary occupancy permit; 5 other schools still in limbo

By Mike Johnson of the Journal Sentinel staff

A Milwaukee choice school that had been threatened with having its initial aid payment withheld by the state because it didn't have a certificate of occupancy has submitted a temporary permit and will receive the funding, the state Department of Public Instruction said Thursday.

Woodson Academy, 5510 W. Blue Mound Road, faxed a copy of a temporary occupancy permit to the DPI, said Tricia Collins, who oversees the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program for the DPI.

"It takes them off the hook for 30 days. They will get their September check," Collins said.

The temporary permit is good until Oct. 19, she said. The school still must file a permanent certificate of occupancy with the DPI, Collins said.

Woodson was one of six schools that the DPI on Wednesday said it would withhold aid payments from if they failed to comply with state rules by Sept. 28.

Collins said she had not heard from the other schools yet.

Four of the schools had not yet sent the state copies of occupancy permits that are issued by the City of Milwaukee to show their buildings meet health and safety codes for schools. Aside from Woodson Academy, the three other schools that have not yet submitted the permits are Sensas-Utcha Institute of Holistic Learning, 2470 W. Keefe Ave., Immanuel Christian Academy, 2009 S. 19th St., and Victory Preparatory Academy, 3132 N. King Drive.

Submitting a copy of the permit to the DPI is a new requirement this school year.

Two other schools will not get their initial payments unless they pay back overpayments they received from the state last year. They are Blyden Delany Academy, 2466 W. McKinley Ave., and Holy Redeemer Christian Academy, 3500 W. Mother Daniels Way.

Collins said that although the DPI had not yet received payment from either school, officials from Blyden Delany promised Thursday to send a check overnight, and Holy Redeemer said it would send additional paperwork concerning the overpayments.

Blyden, which was overpaid $11,030, made a partial payment but still owes $7,358. Holy Redeemer owes $15,390, the state said.

Woodson Academy, which has 308 students, received its temporary occupancy permit on Wednesday.

In the choice program, schools receive $5,326 from the state this year, made in four installments starting Sept. 28.