Northern Liberties Charter School to Open High School

A charter school in Northern Liberties plans to open for high school students next month, even though it doesn't have the formal okay to do so.

KYW's Mike DeNardo reports school founder Walter D. Palmer plans to expand the Walter D. Palmer Leadership Learning Partners Charter School, to a K-12 school for 925 students next month even though the School Reform Commission is requiring him to scale back to K-8.

Palmer says he had a verbal agreement with a previous administration:

"Superintendent Vallas along with SRC chairperson Sandra Dungee Glenn supported the idea of a high school."

But School Reform Commissioner David Girard-diCarlo raised an eyebrow:

"I would counsel against any charter school acting on any oral representation of any kind, when it by law requires me to vote."

The issue could wind up in court, but Palmer is still hoping for an agreement before school starts.

(Photo provided by www.wdpllpcs.org)