The Delaware Department of Education’s Charter School Accountability Committee on Tuesday recommended the revocation of the charter of Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence (BASSE) because of enrollment, financial and organizational concerns.
A public hearing is scheduled for 5 p.m. March 9 at the Delaware Technical Community College’s Owens Campus in Georgetown. Public comment also will be accepted via email at infocso.DOE@doe.k12.de.us. After reviewing the full record, Secretary of Education Cindy Marten will present her decision regarding the school’s future to the State Board of Education for its assent at the board’s March 19 meeting.
Should Secretary Marten and the State Board follow the committee’s recommendation to revoke the charter, the school would close at the end of the 2025-26 academic year.
BASSE students would be able to return to the district schools in their home feeder patterns or choice into another district or charter school that is accepting students. The school’s closure would be considered “good cause” to allow students to apply after the School Choice deadline, which was in January.
Marten placed BASSE on formal review in December. Formal review is the lawful investigation of a charter school to determine whether the school is violating the terms of its charter.
BASSE, which opened in Fall 2024, serves students in grades 6 to 9 with plans to expand to 10th grade next year.
Find a timeline and more information about the formal review process online here.
Media inquiries: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006