Story Archive

Party School

The Balare Language Academy is a south Florida charter school that has received a coveted “A” rating on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. But there were some oddities. First, parents complained about empty beer bottles and a lingering smell of smoke on campus. Then, fliers turned up advertising events at the school’s address showing barely dressed women and bottles of booze, advertising parties for Outlaw Skinny Productions. “The school takes this type of allegation very seriously and with the highest priority,” said school principal and founder Rocka Malik. In a complaint, Deputy Superintendent Freddie Woodson wrote, “All advertisements include the promotion of alcoholic beverages in addition to inappropriate images for school-age children.” However, under state law, the district can only close a charter school if it is in financial distress or has received a series of failing grades from the state Department of Education. Marlon Hill, Balare’s attorney, claims the address in all the ads were “misprinted.” (MS/South Florida Sun-Sentinel) ...We really have to wonder what the extra credit assignments are like.