The city and state teachers unions are suing to block a charter high school from bringing a prestigious international diploma program to the Bronx.
The New York State United Teachers and United Federation of Teachers assert that the establishment of the Vertex Partnership Academies would violate the current state cap of 290 city charter schools.
Their suit contends that the new school — founded by prominent charter advocate Ian Rowe — is trying to “circumvent” the cap by drawing students from two existing charter schools and casting itself as an expansion.
“Put simply, if it looks like a new charter, is held accountable like a new charter, and is structured like a separate and new charter, then it is indeed a new charter and not an expansion,” the lawsuit states.
UFT boss Michael Mulgrew, a staunch opponent of charter schools, echoed that opposition.
