A U.S. District Court judge has issued an immediate closure order for the Walton Academy for the Performing Arts in Tampa, citing critical safety failures that violated both Florida and federal laws.
This drastic measure follows an injunction filed by the Hillsborough County school district, which sought to cease the school’s operations. Notably, the academy continued to operate for two days after the school board had already voted to revoke its charter.
Walton Academy shut down after safety failings breach FL and US laws
Legal Hearing Confirms Immediate Threat to Student Safety
During a virtual hearing, U.S. District Judge Helene Daniel meticulously reviewed testimonies from key figures, including Walton Academy principal Tanika Walton, Hillsborough school district’s security major Zamir Ode, and chief of school security John Newman. The overwhelming evidence led the judge to declare an “ongoing threat” to student safety, a detail also highlighted by MSN.
The court detailed numerous safety breaches, such as unlocked gates, obstructed shelter zones, and non-operational emergency alert systems. These critical issues were initially brought to light in a letter from the Florida Department of Education, which subsequently prompted the school board’s decision to shut down the academy.
Judge Daniel underscored the urgency during the hearing, stating, “The students are actually not currently safe; there’s an ongoing threat to these children,” as reported by MSN.
District: Safety Concerns Persist Despite Claimed Fixes
The Hillsborough County School Board’s decision to revoke Walton Academy’s charter was a direct response to the state’s letter, which detailed a history of unresolved safety problems. The district contended that the academy exhibited a consistent pattern of failing to comply with safety standards.
A district lawyer characterized the school’s efforts post-board decision as “too little, too late,” according to MSN. The district further asserted that legal intervention wasn’t necessary to enforce the board’s immediate closure order.
Security major Zamir Ode’s testimony revealed a troubling trend: “Everybody has a bad day, a bad audit, but it seems like every single audit has deficiencies,” he stated, noting that while one bad audit might be an anomaly, a consistent pattern indicates systemic issues, as cited by MSN.
School Claims All Violations Were Addressed Pre-Hearing
John Leombruno, legal counsel for Walton Academy, argued that all identified safety issues had been resolved before the hearing, with some repairs even completed in the presence of inspectors. However, he admitted that these corrective actions lacked formal documentation. Despite this, he insisted the school no longer presented a danger to students.
Principal Tanika Walton assured the judge that safety had been elevated to a top priority, with clear communication to all staff. She explained that going forward, safety would be the central theme of monthly staff topics, shifting from a previous focus on bullying.
Parents Notified, Student Transfers Underway
The Hillsborough County charter school office has initiated contact with all families impacted by Walton Academy’s closure. At the time of the hearing, over 110 students were still enrolled, though eight had already moved to other institutions. The district is actively monitoring the placement of every student affected by the shutdown.
While the school reserves the right to appeal, with a hearing set for early November, Judge Daniel concluded that keeping the academy operational during this period posed “unacceptable risks,” according to MSN.
Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, Judge Daniel stated, “Every second does count. The court is unwilling to take a chance that something may happen for which you are completely unprepared,” as quoted by MSN.
Programs Previously Offered at Walton Academy
Walton Academy for the Performing Arts previously provided a diverse curriculum, including:
- Music
- Dance
- Drama
- Visual Arts
- Academic support services
- After-school enrichment activities
These programs are now suspended indefinitely following the court’s decisive ruling.