Commission places two schools on probation, approves Lee Neely’s Bend grade expansion
January 26, 2026 | Tennessee Public Charter School Commission, Deparments in Office of the Governor, Organizations, Executive, Tennessee
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The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission took three formal votes on Jan. 20: it placed Wood Dale Middle School and Lester Prep on probationary status for academic underperformance and approved an amendment petition from Lee Neely’s Bend to expand into grades 6–12 and phase out fifth grade.
The accountability committee had recommended probation for Lester Prep and Wood Dale Middle after noting state designations and academic concerns; the full commission voted to adopt the recommendation. Chair Richards called for a vote and, after a roll call, recorded eight ayes to place both schools on probationary status.
On Lee Neely’s Bend, the commission heard public comment earlier in the meeting from Dr. Ricky Gibbs and other community members who cited consistent high TVOS scores and community demand for high school options in Madison. The commission then took a roll call vote to approve the amendment petition to phase in grades through 12, and the vote passed with eight ayes.
Commissioners and staff characterized the probation votes as a step in the commission’s tiered intervention system: probationary status requires closer supervision, more frequent data submissions and regular check‑ins with commission staff per the commission’s policy and state law (public chapter references were discussed during committee reports). The Lee Neely’s Bend amendment approval was based on committee findings of academic performance, a sound operations plan, financial projections to support expansion and demonstrated community support.
What this means: Probation places the two schools under enhanced monitoring and signals a need for targeted interventions. Lee Neely’s Bend will phase in additional grades beginning next school year under the terms approved by the commission. Staff and committee members said they will provide monitoring and will bring follow‑up items back to the commission as required.
Sources: Committee report from Beth Figueroa; roll calls and public comment presented at the Jan. 20 meeting.
The accountability committee had recommended probation for Lester Prep and Wood Dale Middle after noting state designations and academic concerns; the full commission voted to adopt the recommendation. Chair Richards called for a vote and, after a roll call, recorded eight ayes to place both schools on probationary status.
On Lee Neely’s Bend, the commission heard public comment earlier in the meeting from Dr. Ricky Gibbs and other community members who cited consistent high TVOS scores and community demand for high school options in Madison. The commission then took a roll call vote to approve the amendment petition to phase in grades through 12, and the vote passed with eight ayes.
Commissioners and staff characterized the probation votes as a step in the commission’s tiered intervention system: probationary status requires closer supervision, more frequent data submissions and regular check‑ins with commission staff per the commission’s policy and state law (public chapter references were discussed during committee reports). The Lee Neely’s Bend amendment approval was based on committee findings of academic performance, a sound operations plan, financial projections to support expansion and demonstrated community support.
What this means: Probation places the two schools under enhanced monitoring and signals a need for targeted interventions. Lee Neely’s Bend will phase in additional grades beginning next school year under the terms approved by the commission. Staff and committee members said they will provide monitoring and will bring follow‑up items back to the commission as required.
Sources: Committee report from Beth Figueroa; roll calls and public comment presented at the Jan. 20 meeting.
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