When parents in Alachua County, Florida, heard that the for-profit chain Charter Schools USA was planning to move into their district, they organized to stop them. Led by Sue Legg, the education director of the state League of Women Voters, they created Parents Against Corporate Takeovers.

Good News! Charter Schools USA backed away and did not file its request. It may be back.

“Florida Charter Educational Foundation, backed by the for-profit Charter Schools USA, did not meet the Oct. 2 deadline to file an official application to open a charter school next academic year.

“A nonprofit organization did not file an official application to open a charter school in Alachua County by its Oct. 2 deadline after its draft proposal caused pushback among county residents.

“Florida Charter Educational Foundation, backed by the for-profit Charter Schools USA, submitted a draft application May 1 to open a 1,145-student charter school in southwest Alachua County in the 2018-2019 school year.

“Of Alachua County’s 14 charter schools, Micanopy Area Cooperative School has the most students this year, with 238 students.

“The draft led to a group of Alachua County residents forming a political action committee, Parents Against Corporate Takeovers, in July. It campaigned against Charter Schools USA, arguing that the charter school would deprive resources from the district’s traditional public schools without being held to the same standards as those schools.”

Parents, don’t let down your guard. Keep the corporate predators away.