Imani Education Circle Charter to close next month

Another embattled Philadelphia charter school has elected to close in June.

Imani Education Circle Charter School in Germantown notified the School District's charter office that it would close when the academic year ends next month, rather than continue to fight in the courts to stay open.

District spokesman Fernando Gallard said Imani told the district after the charter's board voted at a special meeting Monday evening. Parents were informed by letter on Wednesday, he said.

The move affects 455 students from kindergarten through eighth grade who had expected to attend the school in the fall, including some students who were selected in Imani's admissions lottery last month.

Gallard said the district would explain to families how they can enroll their children in their neighborhood schools.

"We are talking to the school, trying to figure out the best way to reach the families," he said.

Gallard said the district also would alert nearby district schools to expect Imani students.

Imani officials did not respond to calls or emails for comment.

Attorney Robert W. O'Donnell, whose firm represents that K-8 charter, confirmed the board's decision.

The School Reform Commission voted in November 2014 not to give Imani a new, five-year operating agreement on grounds of poor academic performance and financial mismanagement.

The state Charter Appeal Board upheld the SRC in December and ordered Imani to cease operations on June 22.

At that time, Imani officials had vowed to appeal to Commonwealth Court.

But the charter changed its position after receiving the state board's 40-page opinion and order on May 19, which explained the reasons for the ruling, including "the continued substantial instability of Imani's fiscal operations."

Imani opened in 1999 with a mission of educating children "in a safe and caring, African-centered environment." It's the second city charter to announce it will close next month rather than fight to remain open in the face of academic and financial issues.

New Media Technology Charter School announced in March that it would close in June. The school, at 8034 Thouron Ave. in the Northwest, has 481 students in grades six through 12.

martha.woodall@ phillynews.com

215-854-2789 @marwooda