KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and Sports$140K fine levied against Minn. charter school
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Associated Press - November 18, 2009 4:24 PM ET
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The Minnesota Department of Education plans to withhold almost $140,000 in state aid to a suburban charter school over teacher-licensure violations.
The penalty announced Wednesday against Tarek ibn Ziyad (tah-RECK' IH'-ben zee-AHD') Academy stems from an investigation into licensure status at school sites in Inver Grove Heights and Blaine. Eight teachers were found to lack proper credentials.
Commissioner Alice Seagren directed the fine be imposed beginning next month. Seagren said she was imposing the maximum fine, which is 60 percent of the school's basic allowance for the days it was deemed out of compliance.
Blois Olson, a spokesman for TiZA, said the school will ask the Court of Appeals to weigh in.
TiZA caters to Muslim students. The school is currently suing the state, claiming key records it needs to defend itself have been withheld during the investigation.
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