Murphy – The Learning Center, which has been a staple of local education since opening as a private school in 1983, announced Monday that it will be closing effective June 30 due to “financial irregularities.”
The Learning Center became a state public charter school in 1997 and began expanding, serving about 220 students this year. In a release that shocked the community, it was shared that the board of directors voted Friday to relinquish its charter and begin the process of closing the school.
“Earlier this month, the board learned of significant irregularities within the school’s financial operations,” according to the release.
“Working with the school’s leadership, the school’s outside financial services provider and legal counsel, the board began an investigation. The board also notified its regulators immediately upon receiving this information.
“As the school’s investigation continues, it has become apparent that the financial irregularities threaten the financial well-being of the school and impact The Learning Center’s ability to operate within the boundaries of its charter. These irregularities were concealed from the board of directors and have resulted in insurmountable financial challenges.”
The decision was particularly stunning since just two years ago, The Learning Center expanded into high school grades, renovating the basement of the Mountain Vista Inn to make room for the new students. In addition, plans were being formed to build a new campus at 945 Connahetta St. to replace the existing network of buildings and trailers.
“This decision impacts a community of people whose needs have been met by The Learning Center since 1997,” the board of directors said in the release.
“We did not make this decision lightly, and we recognize the uncertainty this creates for our families and staff members. We will continue to share information with our community as the investigation moves forward, and we will do whatever we can to assist families in next steps.”
On Tuesday morning, due to The Learning Center being a recipient of taxpayer funds, Cherokee County sent a letter to the Murphy Police Department requesting a criminal investigation into the charter school’s finances. In the past, the State Bureau of Investigation has often come in to assist local agencies in situations like this.
“This is a tragedy for the community,” attorney Lisa Gordon Stella told the Cherokee Scout on Monday. She is working with the board of directors in their investigation.
Local educator Mary Jo Dyre founded the The Learning Center as a private school before it expanded in becoming a charter 14 years later, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grades. Grades 9-10 were added over the last two years, with another 100 students expected once the high school was completed.
The school has become well known for its academics, like the E-STEAM program, as well as creative efforts, like the annual Maker Faire. In 2021, it received a N.C. ACCESS grant to help develop and demonstrate best practices in serving educationally disadvantaged students. The Learning Center is also a certified OWL Academy; visit www.naturallygrownkids.org for details.
Adding to the surprise, the school just announced new leadership in March, when Stephanie Hopper was named the new executive director and Ryan Bender became director of school operations. Bender was promoted to head of school after Dyre retired as director in 2020.
What’s next is still up in the air.
“The Learning Center has been honored to serve our school community,” the release says. “The board of directors will continue its cooperation with the Office of Charter Schools, the Charter School Advisory Board and the State Board of Education as well as any local, state or federal investigation, as we wind down operations.”