Mpls. charter school presses case against eviction
A north Minneapolis charter school being evicted from its building is hoping for a last-minute reprieve at a court appearance on Tuesday.
The Minnesota School of Science is $500,000 behind in rent to the Minneapolis Public Schools system.
But school officials say the district is allowing another charter behind on its rent to stay put.
Gene Scapanski, a founding board member of the school, hopes a judge allows the charter to stay in the building for at least another year.
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"We're looking to work it out with Minneapolis Public Schools to pay as much rent as we are able and to stay in that building," Scapanski said.
State law prevents lease aid from going to a charter, such as the Minnesota School of Science, that rents space from its authorizer.
"This is just too late," Scapanski said. "It's too difficult, and it puts a burden on the school and families and on the school itself that needs to be remedied."
Charter school officials will hold a rally at the school on Monday evening ahead of the Tuesday court appearance.
If the eviction goes through the Minneapolis district plans to start another school in the building in the fall.
