Chavez Huerta closing after 25 years

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Chavez Huerta K-12 Preparatory Academy (CHPA) doors will officially close as their charter contract has been discontinued, according to a letter to parents given to KRDO13.

According to the letter, CHPA says District 60 has decided not to continue their contract and not release the school, making them unable to seek a contract with the Charter School Institute.

PREVIOUS REPORTING: Future for Chavez Huerta in limbo following Colorado Board of Education decision

The closure follows financial turbulence at the school, and also reports issues with student academic success. District 60 sent a statement to KRDO13 explaining that the closure "follows years of improper fiscal management and financial instability at the charter school."

"We would love to thank our community and supporters that did everything in their power to
persuade the district to release us or continue the charter contract," said CHPA in letter to parents. "Without your support over the years, we would not have given our children a great education and provide them leadership skills to make a difference in the community and in the world."

We spoke with one parent who says she's saddened by the news.

"I mean, it just breaks my heart because not only that, (the) elementary is closing. It's the middle and high school closing too. And some of those kids have been going there since kindergarten, you know what I mean?" said Jetta Rael, a local mom.

Rael says her son was a 4th grader at Cesar Chavez Preparatory Academy.

"He was upset. He started crying," she recalled.

Rael says that she's not rushing to find schooling for her son before the next school year starts.

Officials confirm that CHPA will provide district and school information on how to enroll and who to contact with any questions. They will also provide a 48-hour turnaround for requests on any documents needed for student enrollment.

For more information, contact the CHPA admissions department at 719-744-0819 or email ljsteele@chpa-k12.org/rlarchuleta@chpa-k12.org to request paperwork.

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