Charter school fires founder

TULSA, Okla.-The board overseeing one of the state's first charter schools has made the dismissal of the school's founder one of its first actions.<br><br>W.E.B. Dubois Academy founder and Superintendent

Thursday, August 31st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla.-The board overseeing one of the state's first charter schools has made the dismissal of the school's founder one of its first actions.

W.E.B. Dubois Academy founder and Superintendent Milton Goodwin was dismissed because he was "not effective," DuBois school board member Mike Nash said.

The decision comes in a series of setbacks for the school, which is run like a private school but uses public funds. It has changed board membership and leadership twice and had to delay the start of school by a month.

A new board was appointed and teachers were hired just before the school opened last week.

The Tulsa Public Schools board has said it will terminate its contract with the school. Under state law, charter schools are first entitled to a hearing before the sponsoring board. Dubois will be without state funding if the board does not reverse its decision.

Charter school officials would not provide details about Goodwin's departure or what effect the decision could have on their appeal.

"We're going to aggressively seek someone to take his place," Nash said.