Schools

Virtual Learning Solutions Withdraws Charter for Online School

Illinois State Charter School Commission recommends denying all 18 appeals.

By Shannon Antinori 

There won't be an online charter school in Bolingbrook anytime soon.

Virtual Learning Solutions, a nonprofit organization that had partnered with the for-profit K12 Inc., has halted its fight to open an online charter school known as the Illinois Virtual Charter School @ Fox River Valley.

The charter school faced an uphill battle after all 18 affected school boards — including those in Valley View School District and nearby Naperville School District 203 and Plainfield 202 — voted against the proposal.

In May, Valley View school board members firmly rejected a proposal by K12 to open an online charter school.

Board members said K12 failed "to instill confidence" in the company and showing a lack of proof and "evidence of value."

Virtual Learning Solutions was in the process of appealing all 18 school district denials when Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation that put a stop to new virtual charter schools for one year in the State of Illinois.

The executive director of the Illinois State Charter School Commission, Jeanne Nowaczewsk, said in a release on June 11 that she recommends, “to adopt staff recommendation to deny the 18 appeals filed by Virtual Learning Solutions … regarding the establishment of the Illinois Virtual Charter School at Fox River Valley.”


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