State officials have approved a proposal for a public charter school in Brookhaven.
The State Charter Schools Commission on Aug. 26 unanimously approved plans to set up Brookhaven Innovation Academy, a school proponents say will emphasize science, technology and math courses.
“Now the work starts,” Bates Mattison, chairman of the school’s board and a member of Brookhaven City Council, said after the vote during the commission’s meeting. He then quickly amended his thought to add, “the work on operations.”
BIA backers have sought state approval for the school for two years. Their original proposal was voted down last year, so they returned this year with a plan they said addressed the commission’s objections. One change expanded the number of seats on the school board and reduced the number of Brookhaven City Council members on the board.
The board plans to start classes in August 2016, Mattison said. The board will meet Sept. 3, Mattison said, and will begin working on finding a location for the school and hiring a principal.
“We really do have a tremendous amount of work to do,” Mattison said.