School board votes to close MECCA Business Learning Institute charter school
By a vote of 6-2, the Montgomery County Board of Education voted Thursday to close the MECCA Business Learning Institute, the county’s only charter school.
Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Taylor recommended revoking the school’s charter, requiring the school to close by June 30.
Board President Grace Rivera-Oven and Board of Education Member Brenda Wolff were the only members to urge that the charter school be given more time to comply.
The Germantown charter school emphasizes business education and serves sixth and seventh-grade students.
By the same vote, board members approved a dissolution plan created by Taylor that lists specific actions and when those actions must be completed.
Patricia Ursprung, coordinator of legislative affairs for MCPS, said the school is in non-compliance concerning the requirements of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. Other issues revolve around staffing and financial stability, according to MCPS officials in previous discussions.
Nine of the 10 students enrolled in individualized education programs at MECCA are not in compliance and haven’t been since November of 2025, said Margaret Cage, chief of specialized services for MCPS. But, Cage noted, the charter school is making progress toward compliance.
“If they are making progress, I just have a really hard time right now in supporting the recommendation [to close the school,]” said Rivera-Oven.
Wolf agreed.
“I think it is only fair [that MECCA be given] at least a full year to come into compliance,” said Wolff.
But when Board Member Karla Silvestre asked how long it usually takes to resolve a problem with an individualized education program, Cage responded that while each case is different, schools tend to resolve an issue within 48 hours following a monitoring session.
