Arizona online school CEO blames failing state grades on administrative error

PHOENIX – The CEO of Primavera said an administrative error is to blame for the failing state grades that threaten the Arizona online charter school’s existence.

Primavera, which is operated by charter holder American Virtual Academy, received a D in the state’s A-F letter grade accountability system three consecutive years under the standards for traditional schools.

As a result, the State Board for Charter Schools issued a notice of intent to revoke American Virtual Academy’s charter contract for failing to demonstrate sufficient progress.

However, CEO Damian Creamer said Primavera should be graded under the standards for alternative schools because over 70% of its students are at-risk.

Why was Primavera graded as a traditional school?

The problem arose after Primavera mistakenly failed to apply for alternative school status over a three-year period after doing so regularly since the designation was introduced in 2012.

“And so, consequently, we were actually graded as a regular school,” Creamer told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Tuesday.

Creamer said the error occurred while he stepped away to care for his terminally ill wife. The COVID-19 pandemic added to the turmoil.

“I take full responsibility for that mistake. We all make mistakes. But we should be able to clear the record, and we should be able to move forward,” he said.

What comes next for Primavera

Primavera, which was founded in 2001, had never been called to face the State Board for Charter Schools before.

“Typically, we’re a B-rated school as an alternative school,” Creamer said.

The CEO explained the situation during a hearing last Tuesday, but the board wasn’t swayed and unanimously voted to issue the notice of intent to revoke.

“I think that the board is just following their procedure right now,” Creamer said. “I mean, I think everybody who runs a charter school or who oversees charter schools, everybody wants accountability, and we’re cool with accountability,” he said.

Primavera can appeal the decision before it loses its charter — and the millions of taxpayer dollars that come with it. Charter schools are independently run entities that receive state funding just like public district schools do.

The school is maintaining a webpage with information about the case.

“We’re hoping that we get an opportunity to present the data so that we can clear the record because the record clearly shows, ‘Hey, we’re a performing alternative school,’” Creamer said.

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