Uncategorized

Sudden Lease Termination Puts ASU Preparatory Academy In Limbo

Parents may have one less school to choose from next year. ASU Preparatory Academy sent letters home with students warning of the school’s potential closure in June 2019 due to a rent increase. According to the letter, Phoenix Elementary School District increased the school’s annual lease from $300,000 to $2.7 million. 

Carrisa Jokobe, a concerned parent, is one of many who is questioning the district’s motives. She also is concerned about her child’s school career, as parents were not previously told about the meeting.

“Had we received adequate notice, I would have been at that meeting. We would be fighting for our kids. If we don’t pay it, we will lose our school,” says Jakobe. 


ASU Preparatory Academy released a statement in addition to the letter. In part it said, “if this decision by the board does not end with a reasonable and affordable lease extension, PESD will be responsible for closing down a school with a 100 percent graduation rate and a 100 percent acceptance to higher-education rate. It would also be responsible for eliminating a vibrant community in downtown Phoenix, created by ASU Prep in a building which had previously been vacant and of little value to the district.”

Jakobe agrees that it’s a great school, and she hopes the district will come to a fair decisions. The Governing Board and the school will have a 60-day negotiating period.