SHAFAQNA– A charter school in Southern California with a new campus build by Muslim community leaders with nearly $30 million in tax-free bonds must close and now may have to repay the money.
With Guidance Charter School’s gleaming new campus ready to open, the Angeles Times reported Thursday that it lost its final appeal earlier this week to remain operational.
The school was founded in 2001 by Muslim community leaders who promised a non-religious educational program that would include Arabic language classes.
Earlier this year the Palmdale School District ordered Guidance closed, citing questionable financial practices and poor academic performance.
Its executive director, Kamal Al-Khatib, accused the school district of shuttering Guidance to win back students its public schools lost.
District officials deny that.
Al-Khatib says he still hopes to reopen the school, The State reported.