Commission committee recommends Lee Neely’s Bend expansion to full commission despite ELA concerns

NASHVILLE — The School Performance & Accountability Committee on Jan. 22 voted to recommend that the full Tennessee Public Charter School Commission consider Lee Neely’s Bend’s amendment petition to phase out fifth grade and expand to a grades 6–12 model, adding one high-school grade per year beginning in 2026.

Beth Figueroa, director of authorizing, summarized staff’s recommendation: Lee Neely’s Bend maintained a level-5 TVOS rating for five consecutive years, proposed a realistic facility plan (remaining in a ~100,000-square-foot MNPS-leased site through 2035), submitted a multiyear budget showing a positive net position, and identified philanthropic and network-level supports to offset startup costs. The application projects a full enrollment of 525 students by the 2029–30 school year with a breakeven threshold estimated at 250 students.

Several commissioners said they were comfortable forwarding the application but expressed concerns about the school’s ELA performance, which staff described as relatively stagnant compared with stronger improvements in math. Commissioners suggested staff consider inviting the head of school or governing-board representatives to the full commission to answer targeted instructional questions; staff said they have limited precedent for that but could arrange it when useful.

The committee moved and seconded a recommendation to the full commission; the motion carried in committee and will be on the full commission agenda for a final vote. Staff said they will continue discussions with the operator and governing board and will provide additional data on ELA performance as requested.